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2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

28 Ranked Colleges
8,527 Degrees Awarded
$8,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 32,891 people earned their degree in criminal justice, making the major the 27th most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 8,527 criminal justice graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 28 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the criminal justice program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Criminal Justice Schools

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More Criminal Justice Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 in California For Those Getting Aid”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.

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

1
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, California

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Golden West College landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Huntington Beach, California, and it awarded 159 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

Golden West College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Golden West College is $4,024 for California Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Golden West College

2
SWC Chula Vista crest
Southwestern College
Chula Vista, California

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwestern College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Chula Vista, California, this fairly large public school handed out 184 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

SWC Chula Vista not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SWC Chula Vista is $4,877 for California Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice at SWC Chula Vista

3
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fresno City College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Fresno City College is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 151 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno City College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” list. It costs about $2,584 for California Criminal Justice students with aid per year to attend Fresno City College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Fresno City College

4
College of the Sequoias crest
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, College of the Sequoias landed the #4 spot on the list. Visalia, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 122 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california criminal justice students with aid list, College of the Sequoias has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,222 for california criminal justice students with aid per year to attend College of the Sequoias.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at College of the Sequoias

5
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Moreno Valley College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Moreno Valley, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 82 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

Moreno Valley College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Moreno Valley College is $5,818 for California Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Moreno Valley College

6
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

With a ranking of #6, Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Santa Rosa, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 73 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california criminal justice students with aid list, SRJC has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Santa Rosa Junior College is $6,585 for California Criminal Justice students with aid.

Full Santa Rosa Junior College Criminal Justice Report

7
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Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

Mt. San Antonio College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Mt. SAC is a large public school situated in Walnut, California. It awarded 112 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

Mt. SAC also made our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Mt. San Antonio College is $3,144 for california criminal justice students with aid.

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

8
Sacramento City crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, California

With a ranking of #8, Sacramento City College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Sacramento City is a fairly large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 132 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

Sacramento City did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” list. It costs about $5,785 for california criminal justice students with aid per year to attend Sacramento City.

Full Sacramento City College Criminal Justice Report

9
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, California

Ventura College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ventura College is a fairly large public school situated in Ventura, California. It awarded 170 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ventura College, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,590 for california criminal justice students with aid per year to attend Ventura College.

Full Ventura College Criminal Justice Report

10
SAC crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, California

Santa Ana College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Santa Ana, California, and it awarded 80 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california criminal justice students with aid list, SAC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $4,745 for California Criminal Justice students with aid per year to attend Santa Ana College.

Full Santa Ana College Criminal Justice Report

11
Riverside City College crest
Riverside City College
Riverside, California

Riverside City College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Riverside City College is a fairly large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 142 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california criminal justice students with aid list, Riverside City College has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Riverside City College is $6,593 for California Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Riverside City College

12
San Diego Miramar College crest
San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #12, San Diego Miramar College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Diego Miramar College is a fairly large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 123 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

San Diego Miramar College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” list. It costs about $4,886 for california criminal justice students with aid per year to attend San Diego Miramar College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at San Diego Miramar College

13
East Los Angeles College crest
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, California

East Los Angeles College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Monterey Park, California, and it awarded 489 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

East Los Angeles College also made our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend East Los Angeles College is $11,028 for california criminal justice students with aid.

Full East Los Angeles College Criminal Justice Report

14
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, California

Reedley College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Reedley, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 76 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Reedley College is $4,892 for california criminal justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Reedley College

15
Antelope Valley College crest
Antelope Valley College
Lancaster, California

Antelope Valley College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. This fairly large school is located in Lancaster, California, and it awarded 140 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Antelope Valley College is $9,277 for California Criminal Justice students with aid.

Full Antelope Valley College Criminal Justice Report

16

17
UOPX - California crest
University of Phoenix - California
Costa Mesa, California

University of Phoenix - California ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of Phoenix - California is a private for-profit institution located in Costa Mesa, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 77 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UOPX - California, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,172 for california criminal justice students with aid per year to attend University of Phoenix - California.

Full University of Phoenix - California Criminal Justice Report

18
West Hills College-Lemoore crest
West Hills College-Lemoore
Lemoore, California

West Hills College-Lemoore landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. West Hills College-Lemoore is a small school located in Lemoore, California that handed out 56 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at West Hills College-Lemoore, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for West Hills College-Lemoore is $9,276 for california criminal justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice at West Hills College-Lemoore

19
El Camino College crest
El Camino College
Torrance, California

El Camino College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Torrance, California, this fairly large public school awarded 112 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

El Camino College also took the #16 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend El Camino College is $11,095 for California Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice at El Camino College

20
Napa Valley College crest
Napa Valley College
Napa, California

Napa Valley College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Napa, California, this small public school handed out 62 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Napa Valley College, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Napa Valley College is $14,155 for California Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Napa Valley College

21
Delta crest
San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton, California

San Joaquin Delta College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Delta is a public institution located in Stockton, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 103 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Delta, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,779 for california criminal justice students with aid per year to attend San Joaquin Delta College.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Delta

22
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College of the Desert
Palm Desert, California

College of the Desert ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. College of the Desert is located in Palm Desert, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 94 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at College of the Desert, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of the Desert is $12,571 for california criminal justice students with aid.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at College of the Desert

23
West Hills College-Coalinga crest
West Hills College-Coalinga
Coalinga, California

West Hills College-Coalinga did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. West Hills College-Coalinga is a public institution located in Coalinga, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,682 for california criminal justice students with aid per year to attend West Hills College-Coalinga.

Full West Hills College-Coalinga Criminal Justice Report

24

Humphreys University - Stockton and Modesto Campuses did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Humphreys University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stockton, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,075 for California Criminal Justice students with aid per year to attend Humphreys University - Stockton and Modesto Campuses.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Humphreys University Criminal Justice Report

25
Fresno Pacific crest
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California

Fresno Pacific University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Fresno, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno Pacific, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $19,029 for California Criminal Justice students with aid per year to attend Fresno Pacific University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%.

Full Fresno Pacific University Criminal Justice Report

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

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