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2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid

37 Ranked Colleges
6,637 Degrees Awarded
$4,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 33,568 people earned their degree in criminal justice, making the major the 32nd most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 8,875 criminal justice graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 6,637 criminal justice graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,451 and $19,634 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 37 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in criminal justice. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great criminal justice programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the criminal justice program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Criminal Justice Schools

The criminal justice school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice in California (With Aid)

#1

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Golden West College landed the #1 spot on the list. Golden West College is a fairly large public school situated in Huntington Beach, California. It awarded 97 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Golden West College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Golden West College is $2,862 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid.

Full Golden West College Criminal Justice Report

#2

Los Medanos College

Pittsburg, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Los Medanos College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid list. Los Medanos College is a public institution located in Pittsburg, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 67 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Los Medanos also made our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $5,162 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students with aid per year to attend Los Medanos College.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Los Medanos College

#3

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Santa Rosa Junior College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid list. Santa Rosa Junior College is located in Santa Rosa, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 70 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california associate degree criminal justice students with aid list, SRJC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SRJC is $5,782 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at SRJC

#3

Ventura College

Ventura, California
#15 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ventura College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Ventura, California, this fairly large public school handed out 146 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Ventura College also made our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Ventura College is $1,514 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students with aid.

Full Ventura College Criminal Justice Report

#5

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, California
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Santa Ana College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid. Santa Ana College is a large school located in Santa Ana, California that handed out 93 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SAC, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SAC is $3,801 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Santa Ana College

#6

Butte College

Oroville, California
#3 in overall quality

Butte College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Butte College is located in Oroville, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 107 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Butte College, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Butte College is $5,070 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid.

Full Butte College Criminal Justice Report

#7

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Visalia, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 103 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend College of the Sequoias is $1,116 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at College of the Sequoias

#8

Sacramento City College

Sacramento, California
#5 in overall quality

Sacramento City College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sacramento City is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 156 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sacramento City, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $4,835 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid per year to attend Sacramento City College.

Full Sacramento City Criminal Justice Report

#9

Fresno City College

Fresno, California
#24 in overall quality

Fresno City College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fresno City College is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 168 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Fresno City College also took the #24 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $2,622 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students with aid per year to attend Fresno City College.

Full Fresno City College Criminal Justice Report

#10

Cerritos College

Norwalk, California
#22 in overall quality

Cerritos College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Norwalk, California, and it awarded 90 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree criminal justice students with aid list, Cerritos College has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $4,022 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students with aid per year to attend Cerritos College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Cerritos College

#11

West Valley College

Saratoga, California
#13 in overall quality

West Valley College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. West Valley College is a public institution located in Saratoga, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 55 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at West Valley College, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for West Valley College is $3,791 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at West Valley College

#12

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, California
#11 in overall quality

College of the Canyons did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. College of the Canyons is located in Santa Clarita, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 87 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

College of the Canyons not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for College of the Canyons is $4,088 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice at College of the Canyons

#13

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, California
#12 in overall quality

Rio Hondo College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. This fairly large school is located in Whittier, California, and it awarded 127 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

RHCCD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend RHCCD is $5,487 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students with aid.

Full RHCCD Criminal Justice Report

#14

Citrus College

Glendora, California
#19 in overall quality

Citrus College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. This fairly large school is located in Glendora, California, and it awarded 163 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Citrus College, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Citrus College is $2,751 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Citrus College

#15

Moreno Valley College

Moreno Valley, California
#10 in overall quality

Moreno Valley College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Moreno Valley College is a public institution located in Moreno Valley, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 45 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Moreno Valley College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Moreno Valley College is $4,633 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Moreno Valley College

#16

Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria, California
#25 in overall quality

Allan Hancock College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Maria, California, and it awarded 82 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Allan Hancock College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Allan Hancock College is $3,810 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid.

Full Allan Hancock College Criminal Justice Report

#17

Gavilan College

Gilroy, California
#20 in overall quality

Gavilan College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Gilroy, California, this small public school awarded 37 degrees to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Gavilan College also made our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Gavilan College is $4,784 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Gavilan College

#18

Mt. San Antonio College

Walnut, California

Mt. San Antonio College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Walnut, California, this large public school handed out 86 degrees to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Mt. San Antonio College is $1,729 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Mt. San Antonio College

#19

American River College

Sacramento, California
#23 in overall quality

American River College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. American River College is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 74 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

American River not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for American River is $4,816 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at American River College

#20

Coastline Community College

Fountain Valley, California
#18 in overall quality

Coastline Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Coastline Community College is a public institution located in Fountain Valley, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Coastline Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $7,389 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid per year to attend Coastline Community College.

Full Coastline Community College Criminal Justice Report

#21

Antelope Valley College

Lancaster, California
#14 in overall quality

Antelope Valley College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lancaster, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 170 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree criminal justice students with aid list, Antelope Valley College has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Antelope Valley College is $4,775 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Antelope Valley College

#22

Victor Valley College

Victorville, California
#16 in overall quality

Victor Valley College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Victor Valley College is located in Victorville, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 76 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Victor Valley College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Victor Valley College is $8,504 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Victor Valley College

#23

East Los Angeles College

Monterey Park, California
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, East Los Angeles College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Monterey Park, California, this large public school awarded 340 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree criminal justice students with aid list, East Los Angeles College has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,570 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid per year to attend East Los Angeles College.

Full East Los Angeles College Criminal Justice Report

#24

Palomar College

San Marcos, California

Palomar College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Palomar College is a large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 55 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Palomar College is $3,673 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Palomar College

#25

West Los Angeles College

Culver City, California
#17 in overall quality

West Los Angeles College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. West Los Angeles College is located in Culver City, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 94 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

West LA College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend West Los Angeles College is $7,084 for california associate degree criminal justice students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full West LA College Criminal Justice Report

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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