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

37 Ranked Colleges
6,637 Degrees Awarded
$3,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

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 Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 37 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in criminal justice. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality criminal justice 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 program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Making $0-$30k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it 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 (Income $0-$30k) in California

#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 Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Golden West College landed the #1 spot on the list. Golden West College is a public institution located in Huntington Beach, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 97 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Golden West College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $1,941 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Golden West College.

Full Golden West College Criminal Justice Report

#2

Ventura College

Ventura, California
#15 in overall quality

Out of the 37 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 146 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, Ventura College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ventura College is $506 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Ventura College

#3

Butte College

Oroville, California
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 37 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. This medium-sized school is located in Oroville, California, and it awarded 107 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 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 at Butte College

#4

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, California
#2 in overall quality

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. 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.

SRJC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $5,026 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SRJC.

Full SRJC Criminal Justice 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. Los Medanos is a medium-sized school located in Pittsburg, California that handed out 67 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Los Medanos also took the #4 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $4,220 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Los Medanos.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Los Medanos College

#6

Cerritos College

Norwalk, California
#22 in overall quality

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

Cerritos College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $3,407 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cerritos College.

Full Cerritos College Criminal Justice Report

#7

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, California
#6 in overall quality

Santa Ana 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 #7. SAC is a large school located in Santa Ana, California that handed out 93 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

SAC also made our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $3,801 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Santa Ana College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at SAC

#8

West Valley College

Saratoga, California
#13 in overall quality

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 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 at West Valley College

#9

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, California

With a ranking of #9, College of the Sequoias did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. College of the Sequoias is located in Visalia, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 103 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $590 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend College of the Sequoias.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at College of the Sequoias

#10

Sacramento City College

Sacramento, California
#5 in overall quality

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. Sacramento City College is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 156 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Sacramento City also made our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Sacramento City College is $4,126 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Sacramento City College

#11

Fresno City College

Fresno, California
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Fresno City College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 168 students in 2019-2020.

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

Full Fresno City College Criminal Justice Report

#12

Moreno Valley College

Moreno Valley, California
#10 in overall quality

Moreno Valley College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Moreno Valley, California, and it awarded 45 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Moreno Valley College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Moreno Valley College

#13

Citrus College

Glendora, California
#19 in overall quality

Citrus College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Glendora, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 163 students in 2019-2020.

Citrus College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend 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 more about Criminal Justice at Citrus College

#14

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, California
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, College of the Canyons did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at College of the Canyons, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of the Canyons is $3,392 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at College of the Canyons

#15

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, California
#12 in overall quality

Rio Hondo College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Whittier, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 127 students in 2019-2020.

RHCCD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend RHCCD is $4,797 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full RHCCD Criminal Justice Report

#16

Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria, California
#25 in overall quality

Allan Hancock College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Allan Hancock College is located in Santa Maria, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 82 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Allan Hancock College also made our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Allan Hancock College is $2,781 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Allan Hancock College Criminal Justice Report

#17

Mt. San Antonio College

Walnut, California

Mt. San Antonio College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mt. San Antonio College is a large school located in Walnut, California that handed out 86 associates’s criminal justice degrees 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.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Mt. San Antonio College

#18

Gavilan College

Gilroy, California
#20 in overall quality

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 small school located in Gilroy, California that handed out 37 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, Gavilan College has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gavilan College is $4,011 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Gavilan College

#19

American River College

Sacramento, California
#23 in overall quality

American River 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 #19. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 74 students 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 College is $4,334 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full American River Criminal Justice Report

#20

Palomar College

San Marcos, California

Palomar College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Palomar College is a large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 55 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $2,891 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Palomar College.

Full Palomar 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 Making $0-$30k ranking. Antelope Valley College is located in Lancaster, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 170 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Antelope Valley College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $4,272 for California Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Antelope Valley College.

Full Antelope Valley College Criminal Justice Report

#22

Victor Valley College

Victorville, California
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Victor Valley College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Victor Valley College is a fairly large public school situated in Victorville, California. It awarded 76 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 Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $7,982 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Victor Valley College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Victor Valley College

#23

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 Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. 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.

Coastline Community College also made our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Coastline Community College is $6,776 for california associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Coastline Community College

#24

San Bernardino Valley College

San Bernardino, California

With a ranking of #24, San Bernardino Valley College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 81 students in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Criminal Justice at San Bernardino Valley College

#24

Evergreen Valley College

San Jose, California
#9 in overall quality

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 public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 52 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Evergreen Valley College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for 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%.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Evergreen Valley College

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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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