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 | $123,883 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $25,012 | 76.4% | 46.1% |
| #2 | Carbondale, IL | $104,017 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,928 | 90.4% | 56.3% | |
| #3 | Barry UniversityPrivate | Miami, FL | $103,746 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $20,514 | 59.1% | 36.6% |
| #4 | La Grande, OR | $94,819 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,069 | 98.8% | 36.6% | |
| #5 | Anna Maria CollegePrivate | Paxton, MA | $90,758 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $24,807 | 89.6% | 40.4% |
| #6 | Stillwater, OK | $89,490 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $10,690 | 70.9% | 65.9% | |
| #7 | University Of FloridaPublic | Gainesville, FL | $86,740 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $2,387 | 24.0% | 91.5% |
| #8 | Fort Collins, CO | $81,333 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $11,333 | 89.6% | 66.9% | |
| #9 | Robert Morris UniversityPrivate | Moon Township, PA | $80,106 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $22,158 | 90.6% | 65.5% |
| #10 | Champlain CollegePrivate | Burlington, VT | $75,152 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $26,378 | 66.7% | 63.0% |
| #11 | Buzzards Bay, MA | $73,228 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $5,269 | 94.5% | 79.1% | |
| #12 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | Washington, DC | $66,524 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $21,396 | 43.5% | 85.2% |
| #13 | Elmhurst UniversityPrivate | Elmhurst, IL | $66,495 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $14,641 | 75.7% | 65.2% |
| #14 | George Mason UniversityPublic | Fairfax, VA | $65,059 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,197 | 88.8% | 69.3% |
| #15 | Utah Valley UniversityPublic | Orem, UT | $64,068 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $6,381 | — | 40.7% |
| #16 | Norwich UniversityPrivate | Northfield, VT | $64,050 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $19,842 | 73.6% | 61.0% |
| #17 | Saint Paul, MN | $64,015 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,356 | 74.9% | 58.8% | |
| #18 | Marian UniversityPrivate | Fond Du Lac, WI | $63,372 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $24,155 | 66.8% | 41.2% |
| #19 | Caldwell UniversityPrivate | Caldwell, NJ | $62,974 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,458 | 65.4% | 58.7% |
| #20 | Mcpherson, KS | $62,469 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,369 | — | 23.0% |
