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# Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New York (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

This page ranks the 32 Criminal Justice programs in New York by median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. Utica University ranks 1st on this list, reporting median earnings of $78,258 for its graduates four years after completing.

Across the 31 schools with a published figure, earnings range from $78,258 to $33,993, with a median of $57,570.

The list includes 11 public and 21 private nonprofit institutions. CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice posts the lowest average net price at $3,203, and CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice ranks 37th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

## The ranked list

32 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Criminal Justice Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Utica University · Utica, NY | $78,258 | $19,108 | $13,290 | 92.0% |
|  | Utica University ranks 1st on this list, reporting $78,258 in median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Homeland Security (99 graduates), Criminal Justice and Corrections (53 graduates), Security Science and Technology (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Homeland Security ($82,733), Criminal Justice and Corrections ($69,898) |
| 2 | Syracuse University · Syracuse, NY | $69,491 | $38,793 | $15,817 | 45.9% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 84%](/school/syracuse-university/outcomes/), [Syracuse University](/school/syracuse-university/majors/) admits 46% of applicants and posts median earnings of $69,491 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Security Science and Technology (68 graduates) |
| 3 | University at Albany · Albany, NY | $69,365 | $17,167 | $11,112 | 69.1% |
|  | [University at Albany](/school/university-at-albany/majors/), a public university in Albany, shows an [average net price of $17,167](/school/university-at-albany/cost/) alongside median earnings of $69,365 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Homeland Security (191 graduates), Criminal Justice and Corrections (175 graduates) |
| 4 | Marist University · Poughkeepsie, NY | $65,881 | $41,544 | $26,083 | 56.5% |
|  | [Marist University](/school/marist-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $65,881](/school/marist-university/outcomes/) for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $26,083 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (63 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($65,881) |
| 5 | St. John's University-New York · Queens, NY | $63,978 | $29,999 | $27,787 | 83.4% |
|  | [St. John's University-New York](/school/st-johns-university-new-york/majors/) [ranks 556th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/st-johns-university-new-york/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $63,978 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (178 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($63,978) |
| 6 | Pace University · New York, NY | $63,514 | $30,892 | $26,473 | 75.9% |
|  | [Pace University](/school/pace-university/majors/) [admits 76% of applicants](/school/pace-university/admissions/) and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $63,514 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (62 graduates), Security Science and Technology (7 graduates) |
| 7 | Canisius University · Buffalo, NY | $60,674 | $17,940 | $12,781 | 72.4% |
|  | Canisius University posts a six-year completion rate of 66% and median earnings of $60,674 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($60,674) |
| 8 | St. Joseph's University-New York · Brooklyn, NY | $60,471 | $19,035 | $16,876 | 72.1% |
|  | [St. Joseph's University-New York](/school/st-josephs-university-new-york/majors/) reports [median earnings of $60,471](/school/st-josephs-university-new-york/outcomes/) for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $19,035. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (47 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($60,471) |
| 9 | Farmingdale State College · Farmingdale, NY | $60,464 | $10,867 | $4,933 | 63.3% |
|  | [Farmingdale State College](/school/farmingdale-state-college/majors/), a public college in Farmingdale, shows an [average net price of $4,933](/school/farmingdale-state-college/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and median earnings of $60,464 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Security Science and Technology (180 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Security Science and Technology ($60,464) |
| 10 | State University of New York at Plattsburgh · Plattsburgh, NY | $60,211 | $17,156 | $9,400 | 78.4% |
|  | [State University of New York at Plattsburgh](/school/state-university-of-new-york-at-plattsburgh/majors/) [ranks 446th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/state-university-of-new-york-at-plattsburgh/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $60,211 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (63 graduates), Security Science and Technology (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($58,331) |
| 11 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice · New York, NY | $59,704 | $3,203 | $1,073 | 57.1% |
|  | [CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice](/school/cuny-john-jay-college-of-criminal-justice/majors/) reports an [average net price of $3,203](/school/cuny-john-jay-college-of-criminal-justice/cost/) and median earnings of $59,704 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (1,601 graduates), Security Science and Technology (160 graduates), Fire Protection (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fire Protection ($72,228), Security Science and Technology ($60,416), Criminal Justice and Corrections ($59,343) |
| 12 | State University of New York at Oswego · Oswego, NY | $59,563 | $16,236 | $8,714 | 80.6% |
|  | [State University of New York at Oswego](/school/state-university-of-new-york-at-oswego/majors/) [admits 81% of applicants](/school/state-university-of-new-york-at-oswego/admissions/) and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $59,563 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (100 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($59,563) |
| 13 | SUNY Oneonta · Oneonta, NY | $58,964 | $19,158 | $11,044 | 69.6% |
|  | [SUNY Oneonta](/school/suny-oneonta/majors/) reports [median earnings of $58,964](/school/suny-oneonta/outcomes/) for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $19,158. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (57 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($58,964) |
| 14 | Iona University · New Rochelle, NY | $58,688 | $29,188 | $25,785 | 86.9% |
|  | Iona University admits 87% of applicants and posts a six-year completion rate of 56%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (58 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($58,688) |
| 15 | St. Thomas Aquinas College · Sparkill, NY | $57,707 | $19,994 | $11,746 | 93.1% |
|  | St. Thomas Aquinas College ranks 1278th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with median earnings of $57,707 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($57,707) |
| 16 | Alfred University · Alfred, NY | $57,570 | $25,620 | $16,512 | 73.8% |
|  | [Alfred University](/school/alfred-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $25,620,](/school/alfred-university/cost/) and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $57,570 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($57,570) |
| 17 | Keuka College · Keuka Park, NY | $57,295 | $24,338 | $19,368 | 68.1% |
|  | Keuka College graduates 58% within six years, and its Criminal Justice completers earn a median of $57,295 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (14 graduates) |
| 18 | Dominican University New York · Orangeburg, NY | $57,161 | $41,832 | $40,695 | 63.3% |
|  | Dominican University New York reports an average net price of $40,695 for families earning under $30,000, and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $57,161 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($57,161) |
| 19 | St. Francis College · Brooklyn, NY | $57,084 | $18,129 | $15,700 | Not reported |
|  | [St. Francis College](/school/st-francis-college/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 55%](/school/st-francis-college/outcomes/) and an average net price of $18,129. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (25 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($57,084) |
| 20 | SUNY College of Technology at Canton · Canton, NY | $57,004 | $15,268 | $10,908 | 92.2% |
|  | SUNY College of Technology at Canton admits 92% of applicants, and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $57,004 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (67 graduates), Homeland Security (32 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Homeland Security ($63,759), Criminal Justice and Corrections ($53,778) |
| 21 | SUNY Buffalo State University · Buffalo, NY | $56,034 | $11,346 | $7,405 | 73.0% |
|  | Ranking 269th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, [SUNY Buffalo State University](/school/suny-buffalo-state-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $11,346](/school/suny-buffalo-state-university/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (117 graduates), Security Science and Technology (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($56,034) |
| 22 | SUNY Brockport · Brockport, NY | $54,634 | $16,353 | $10,911 | 70.7% |
|  | [SUNY Brockport](/school/suny-brockport/majors/) reports [median earnings of $54,634](/school/suny-brockport/outcomes/) for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, and a six-year completion rate of 55%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (106 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($54,634) |
| 23 | Adelphi University · Garden City, NY | $54,469 | $30,783 | $24,095 | 65.9% |
|  | [Adelphi University](/school/adelphi-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $24,095](/school/adelphi-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, and admits 66% of applicants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($54,469) |
| 24 | Hilbert College · Hamburg, NY | $54,102 | $22,723 | $20,903 | 97.2% |
|  | Hilbert College graduates 56% within six years, and its Criminal Justice completers earn a median of $54,102 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Security Science and Technology (66 graduates), Criminal Justice and Corrections (47 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Security Science and Technology ($54,589), Criminal Justice and Corrections ($53,418) |
| 25 | SUNY College at Potsdam · Potsdam, NY | $53,597 | $13,624 | $8,623 | 77.7% |
|  | [SUNY College at Potsdam](/school/suny-college-at-potsdam/majors/) reports [median earnings of $53,597](/school/suny-college-at-potsdam/outcomes/) for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $13,624. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (32 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($53,597) |
| 26 | SUNY at Fredonia · Fredonia, NY | $53,149 | $15,897 | $9,395 | 77.7% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 50%](/school/suny-at-fredonia/outcomes/), [SUNY at Fredonia](/school/suny-at-fredonia/majors/) ranks 26th on this list and posts an admission rate of 78%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (40 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($53,149) |
| 27 | Molloy University · Rockville Centre, NY | $52,820 | $24,347 | $17,548 | 81.7% |
|  | [Molloy University](/school/molloy-university/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Rockville Centre, reports an [average net price of $17,548](/school/molloy-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 70%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (34 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($52,820) |
| 28 | Rochester Institute of Technology · Rochester, NY | $52,704 | $34,906 | $24,680 | 66.9% |
|  | [Rochester Institute of Technology](/school/rochester-institute-of-technology/majors/) [ranks 363rd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/rochester-institute-of-technology/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $52,704 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($52,704) |
| 29 | Mercy University · Dobbs Ferry, NY | $51,758 | $14,072 | $11,974 | 85.8% |
|  | [Mercy University](/school/mercy-university/majors/) [admits 86% of applicants](/school/mercy-university/admissions/) and reports an average net price of $14,072, while its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $51,758 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (95 graduates), Homeland Security (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($51,758) |
| 30 | Long Island University · Brookville, NY | $51,086 | $33,062 | $22,019 | 86.2% |
|  | Ranking 30th on this list, [Long Island University](/school/long-island-university/majors/) reports a [six-year completion rate of 57%](/school/long-island-university/outcomes/) and an average net price of $22,019 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (26 graduates), Security Science and Technology (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($51,086) |
| 31 | Elmira College · Elmira, NY | $33,993 | $22,386 | $17,392 | 77.0% |
|  | Elmira College reports median earnings of $33,993 for its Criminal Justice graduates two years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 77%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (5 graduates) |
| 32 | Roberts Wesleyan University · Rochester, NY | No published median | $23,130 | $22,922 | 70.6% |
|  | Roberts Wesleyan University ranks 1015th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a six-year completion rate of 67%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Homeland Security (24 graduates), Criminal Justice and Corrections (7 graduates) |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Criminal Justice earnings cohort in New York appear. The figure covers federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled. For 1 of the 32 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 31 schools with a published figure. Utica University leads Syracuse University by $8,767, and the spread from Utica University to the bottom of the list is $44,265.

## Job market context in New York

Criminal Justice graduates in New York enter a labor market that includes occupations such as Security Guards, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers, and Firefighters. The median annual wage across those occupations is $71,809, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $54,641. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 2.1% higher, with 38,730 projected openings a year, or about 832 openings a year for every hundred graduates, meaning more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. These market figures describe the occupations, not the earnings of any listed program; the ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing.

## Related rankings

-   Criminal Justice Colleges
-   [Best Colleges in New York](/rankings/best-colleges-in-new-york/)
-   [Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas](/rankings/best-criminal-justice-colleges-in-texas/)
-   [Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Florida](/rankings/best-criminal-justice-colleges-in-florida/)
-   [Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia](/rankings/best-criminal-justice-colleges-in-georgia/)
-   [Best Criminal Justice Colleges in California](/rankings/best-criminal-justice-colleges-in-california/)
-   Criminal Justice Colleges in New York for Social Mobility