Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice & Corrections (Income $0-$30k) in California

44 Ranked Colleges
7,423 Degrees Awarded
$3,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Criminal Justice & Corrections is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 6th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 113,581 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, criminal justice and corrections graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $31,952 and had an average of $24,936 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 16,534 criminal justice and corrections graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,495 and $19,443 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 7,423 criminal justice and corrections 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 Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 44 colleges that offered a degree in criminal justice and corrections. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality criminal justice and corrections programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the criminal justice and corrections program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice & Corrections (Income $0-$30k) in California

#1

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Golden West College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Huntington Beach, California, and it awarded 120 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, Golden West College has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,941 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Golden West College.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Golden West College

#2

Ventura College

Ventura, California

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ventura College landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Ventura, California, and it awarded 156 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Ventura College also took the #15 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $506 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ventura College.

Full Ventura College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#3

Butte College

Oroville, California
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Butte College landed the #3 spot on the list. Butte College is a medium-sized school located in Oroville, California that handed out 132 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Butte College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $4,057 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Butte College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Butte College

#4

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Santa Rosa Junior College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Santa Rosa, California, this fairly large public school awarded 70 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

SRJC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Santa Rosa Junior College is $5,026 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Santa Rosa Junior College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#5

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 #5 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Pittsburg, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 67 degrees to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Los Medanos, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Los Medanos College is $4,220 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Los Medanos College

#6

Cerritos College

Norwalk, California

Cerritos College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cerritos College is a large public school situated in Norwalk, California. It awarded 90 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cerritos College, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $3,407 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cerritos College.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Cerritos College

#7

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, California
#6 in overall quality

Santa Ana College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SAC is a large public school situated in Santa Ana, California. It awarded 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 & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SAC is $3,801 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Santa Ana College

#8

West Valley College

Saratoga, California

West Valley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Saratoga, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

West Valley College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $2,203 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend West Valley College.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at West Valley College

#9

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Visalia, California, and it awarded 106 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend College of the Sequoias is $590 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full College of the Sequoias Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#10

Sacramento City College

Sacramento, California

With a ranking of #10, Sacramento City College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 157 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Sacramento City also took the #5 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sacramento City is $4,126 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Sacramento City

#11

Fresno City College

Fresno, California

Fresno City College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 171 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno City College also took the #24 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $2,582 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fresno City College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Fresno City College

#12

Moreno Valley College

Moreno Valley, California
#10 in overall quality

Moreno Valley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Moreno Valley College is a medium-sized public school situated in Moreno Valley, California. It awarded 45 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Moreno Valley College also took the #10 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Moreno Valley College is $4,633 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Moreno Valley College

#13

Citrus College

Glendora, California

Citrus College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Citrus College is a fairly large public school situated in Glendora, California. It awarded 173 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Citrus College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Citrus College is $1,885 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Citrus College

#14

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, California

College of the Canyons did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. College of the Canyons is a public institution located in Santa Clarita, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 87 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, College of the Canyons has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for College of the Canyons is $3,392 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at College of the Canyons

#15

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, California

Rio Hondo College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. This fairly large school is located in Whittier, California, and it awarded 132 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

RHCCD also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Rio Hondo College is $4,797 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Rio Hondo College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#16

Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria, California

Allan Hancock College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Santa Maria, California, this fairly large public school handed out 82 degrees to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Allan Hancock College also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. It costs about $2,781 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Allan Hancock College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Allan Hancock College

#17

Mt. San Antonio College

Walnut, California

Mt. San Antonio College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Walnut, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 86 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Mt. San Antonio College is $898 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Mt. San Antonio College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#18

Gavilan College

Gilroy, California

Gavilan College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Gavilan College is a public institution located in Gilroy, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Gavilan College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Gavilan College is $4,011 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Gavilan College

#19

American River College

Sacramento, California

American River College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. American River is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 74 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at American River, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend American River College is $4,334 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at American River

#20

Palomar College

San Marcos, California

Palomar College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Palomar College is located in San Marcos, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 55 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Palomar College is $2,891 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Palomar College

#21

Antelope Valley College

Lancaster, California

With a ranking of #21, Antelope Valley College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Lancaster, California, this fairly large public school handed out 170 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Antelope Valley College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Antelope Valley College is $4,272 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Antelope Valley College

#22

Victor Valley College

Victorville, California

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 Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Victorville, California, and it awarded 153 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Victor Valley College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Victor Valley College is $7,982 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Victor Valley College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#23

Coastline Community College

Fountain Valley, California
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Coastline Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Coastline Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Fountain Valley, California. It awarded 23 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, Coastline Community College has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Coastline Community College is $6,776 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Coastline Community College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#24

San Bernardino Valley College

San Bernardino, California

San Bernardino Valley College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Bernardino Valley College is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 81 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for San Bernardino Valley College is $7,390 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at San Bernardino Valley College

#24

Evergreen Valley College

San Jose, California

Evergreen Valley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Evergreen Valley College is a medium-sized school located in San Jose, California that handed out 52 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Evergreen Valley College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Evergreen Valley College is $10,029 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Evergreen Valley College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Featured Criminal Justice Administration Schools

Find Schools Near You