Criminal Justice programs produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $150,457 to $20,254 across 439 ranked programs. The $1,942 gap below national averages reflects the field's public service focus, though top programs demonstrate that law enforcement and public safety careers can yield substantial financial returns when graduates target specialized roles.
Leading the list is Neumann University, achieving the highest program earnings at $150,457. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale follows at $104,017, with Anna Maria College rounding out the top tier at $100,072. These programs demonstrate how strategic program selection within justice studies can significantly impact long-term career trajectories and median earnings potential.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Neumann UniversityPrivate | Aston, PA | $122,451 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $24,467 | 81.3% | 53.7% |
| #2 | Carbondale, IL | $108,135 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,415 | 86.9% | 62.4% | |
| #3 | Whiting, IN | $106,465 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $21,381 | — | 22.9% | |
| #4 | Barry UniversityPrivate | Miami, FL | $103,746 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $20,804 | 77.2% | 37.9% |
| #5 | Prescott, AZ | $98,996 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $39,171 | 76.6% | 67.8% | |
| #6 | Fort Collins, CO | $98,019 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,259 | 88.5% | 66.5% | |
| #7 | Anna Maria CollegePrivate | Paxton, MA | $97,937 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $25,554 | 50.3% | 46.2% |
| #8 | Champlain CollegePrivate | Burlington, VT | $95,085 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $28,885 | 82.9% | 65.2% |
| #9 | La Grande, OR | $92,632 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,563 | 98.3% | 43.0% | |
| #10 | Robert Morris UniversityPrivate | Moon Township, PA | $90,206 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $19,548 | 89.9% | 65.7% |
| #11 | George Mason UniversityPublic | Fairfax, VA | $88,054 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $11,942 | 87.5% | 67.8% |
| #12 | Buzzards Bay, MA | $85,256 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $8,757 | 94.7% | 74.1% | |
| #13 | Fisher CollegePrivate | Boston, MA | $80,136 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $25,071 | 70.7% | 27.8% |
| #14 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | Washington, DC | $80,070 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $17,440 | 47.1% | 84.0% |
| #15 | Winona, MN | $79,464 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,182 | 92.8% | 66.0% | |
| #16 | Quinnipiac UniversityPrivate | Hamden, CT | $79,098 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $33,649 | 72.2% | 75.7% |
| #17 | Trenton, NJ | $78,651 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | — | — | — | |
| #18 | Utica UniversityPrivate | Utica, NY | $78,258 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,290 | 92.0% | 56.2% |
| #19 | Trinity Christian CollegePrivate | Palos Heights, IL | $78,165 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,891 | 84.9% | 57.5% |
| #20 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | Boston, MA | $77,477 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $2,264 | 5.2% | 90.5% |
