The criminal justice field offers diverse, in-demand career opportunities with the potential to earn relatively high salaries in California. A bachelor's degree in criminal justice can prepare students for jobs in law enforcement/corrections, the law, and advocacy/victims' rights. Nearly 150 colleges in California offer criminal justice programs.
This guide explores some of the best criminal justice schools in California and explains why you should consider earning a criminal justice degree and pursuing a career in this field here.
Quick Facts
California has 74 state prisons and 114 jails.
Criminal justice majors in California may qualify for financial aid through the state's special financial aid programs for first responders.
As of May 2023, the state's employment in protective service occupations is over 425,000, and employment in legal occupations is over 150,000.
Many criminal justice-related careers in the state offer higher-than-average salaries and faster-than-average projected job growth in the coming years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Projections Central.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Overview of Criminal Justice Education in California
Higher Education in California
363Total nonprofit postsecondary schools
145Schools that offer criminal justice degrees and certificates
California is an excellent place to pursue a criminal justice degree and to launch or advance a criminal justice-related career. The state offers an abundance of opportunities for students interested in higher education. Not only is California home to 363 nonprofit colleges and universities, but 145 of those offer criminal justice certificates and degrees.
Students can find both online and on campus, undergraduate and graduate criminal justice degrees at public and private schools throughout California. Some programs offer concentrations like law enforcement, juvenile justice, or crime and intelligence analysis. Prospective criminal justice majors can find relevant programs at schools located throughout the state, not just in one geographic area.
Criminal Justice Schools in California
This section highlights schools in California that offer criminal justice degrees. The schools are unranked and presented alphabetically by institution name. To qualify for inclusion on this list, the school had to be nonprofit, be accredited, and offer at least one bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
Criminal Justice Careers in California
California offers many opportunities for criminal justice-related careers in areas like law enforcement, corrections, the law and courts, and education.
The job outlook for the criminal justice field in the state varies by career. The BLS projects a national decline in job growth between 2022 and 2032 for some roles in this field, like correctional officers and jailers and legal secretaries.
However, many criminal justice roles in California may see faster-than-average job growth during that time. For example, Projections Central projects roles like paralegal and security guard to see growth exceeding 15% through 2030.
California tops the BLS list for the state that employs the most patrol officers, and is second in the country for highest employment of detectives and criminal investigators.
The table below includes data about the types, employment numbers, salaries, and projected job growth for various criminal justice careers in California. This is a starting point — some of the jobs below may require additional degrees, licenses, or training in addition to a criminal justice bachelor's degree.
Read More:California Highway Patrol Officer RequirementsLos Angeles Police Department Officer RequirementsSan Diego Police Department Officer RequirementsSan Francisco Police Department Officer RequirementsSan Jose Police Departments Officer Requirements
| Job | Employment (2023) | Median Annual Wage (2023) | Projected Job Growth (2020-30) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police officers and sheriff's patrol officers | 68,010 | $113,460 | +4.5% |
| Detectives and criminal investigators | 10,980 | $115,090 | +1.7% |
| Fish and game wardens | 280 | $92,140 | N/A |
| First-line supervisors of police and detectives | 8,890 | $165,370 | +2.7% |
| Public safety telecommunicators (police and fire dispatchers) | 8,190 | $75,070 | +5.2% |
| Transportation security screeners | 6,340 | N/A | +13% |
| Forensic science technicians | 2,390 | $89,610 | +15.4% |
| Correctional officers and jailers | 33,740 | $93,160 | -6.9% |
| First-line supervisors of correctional officers | 4,560 | $115,400 | -4.3% |
| Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists | 13,420 | $104,540 | +4.1% |
| Bailiffs | 50 | $81,920 | N/A |
| Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers | 1,800 | N/A | 0% |
| Lawyers | 94,300 | $185,050 | +12.8% |
| Paralegals and legal assistants | 39,220 | $75,140 | +15.3% |
| Legal secretaries | 21,910 | $60,060 | -19.1% |
| Municipal, license, and court clerks | 13,380 | $59,310 | 3.5% |
| Court reporters and simultaneous captioners | 1,840 | $105,640 | N/A |
| Security guards | 183,620 | $39,590 | +19.8% |
| Private investigators and detectives | 4,290 | $56,010 | +13.5% |
| Emergency management directors | 790 | $118,240 | N/A |
| Postsecondary criminal justice teachers | 1,180 | $132,760 | +10% |
Source: BLS OEWS, Projections Central
How to Choose the Best Criminal Justice School in California
Students need to think about various factors to help them choose the right criminal justice program. Below, we highlight important considerations when choosing a criminal justice school in California.
Accreditation
The best criminal justice schools in California hold institutional accreditation from accrediting bodies recognizedapproved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education. To receive accreditation, universities must meet quality standards for their academic programs, faculty and staff, and financial management.
Attending an accredited college is crucial if you want to apply for federal financial aid. It can also be important for getting into a graduate program, qualifying for a professional certification, and getting a job. In California, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges provides institutional accreditation to universities.
Cost
The cost of the best criminal justice schools in California varies. One of the main factors impacting price is whether the institution is public or private. Generally, public schools charge significantly lower tuition rates than private ones.
In 2021-22, tuition and required fees cost undergraduates $8,559 on average at four-year public schools in California, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). This was less than the national average of $9,596 that year. Attending a private college that academic year cost $39,068 on average in California.
Program Format
The best criminal justice schools in California include programs that offer both on-campus and online options. Most schools offer part-time and full-time options for criminal justice students.
It's important to choose a program that fits your schedule and meets your learning needs. If you plan to work full-time while in school, consider looking for an online criminal justice program with asynchronous classes.
Curriculum and Instructor Expertise
When researching schools, look at the criminal justice program's curriculum and instructors. Make sure that the program meets your needs and matches your career goals. For example, if you want to specialize in a specific area, look for programs that offer that concentration or classes that can help you develop the expertise you need.
If you don't have prior relevant professional experience, consider looking for programs with internship opportunities. If you want to pursue a graduate degree in the field in the future, look for programs that offer research opportunities.
Student Support Services
Student support services can vary from school to school in California. Consider what types of student services you might need the most, such as tutoring, access to library resources, a writing center, and a career development center where you can get help with resume writing, mock interviews, and networking events.
Financial Aid for Criminal Justice Students in California
Criminal justice students in California can take advantage of various financial aid opportunities. Both the federal government and the state of California offer financial aid for college students. Below, we explain how you can apply for financial aid to help pay for your criminal justice degree in California.
Federal Financial Aid
The federal government offers various types of financial aid for college students, including loans, grants, and the work-study program. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as soon as possible to see if you qualify for anything.
Criminal justice graduates who take out student loans may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLP) program if they get a full-time job working for a nonprofit or public employer and make 120 qualifying loan payments.
State Financial Aid
Criminal justice students in California may also qualify for state financial aid. The California Student Aid Commission offers various financial aid programs for college students, including grants, scholarships, and special loan programs.
For example, the state awards Cal Grants, which don't require repayment, to eligible students attending California State Universities, Universities of California, California community colleges, and some other schools.
Criminal justice majors may qualify for financial aid programs for first responders and family, which include the Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program and the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act.
Criminal Justice Scholarships for California Students
Rose Sullivan and Rebecca Morales Memorial Scholarship in Criminal Justice
California State University Sacramento Scholarships in Criminal Justice Department
California Statewide Law Enforcement Association Scholarships
University of California, Riverside Robert Presley Student Scholarship Fund
San Jose State University Justice Studies Undergraduate Scholarships
Criminal Justice Resources in California
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Criminal Justice Schools in California
It depends on your career goals and what you want to get out of a criminal justice program. However, the University of California Irvine's Department of Criminology, Law, and Society offers multiple criminology programs, including a bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D.
