Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 34 colleges in Pennsylvania that report a Criminal Justice earnings cohort, ordered by the median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. Neumann University leads the list at $122,451, followed by Robert Morris University at $90,206 and DeSales University at $64,020.
Across the 33 schools with a reported completion median, median earnings range from $122,451 to $30,119, with a median of $56,164.
The list includes 11 public and 23 private nonprofit institutions. Temple University ranks 125th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally, the strongest showing on the page.
Holy Family University posts the lowest average net price at $13,143, while Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus reports the highest six-year completion rate at 86%.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Criminal Justice Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neumann University · Aston, PA | $122,451 | $27,804 | $24,467 | 81.3% |
| Neumann University reports $122,451 in median earnings for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, and ranks 621st on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other (38 graduates), Criminal Justice and Corrections (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other ($140,283), Criminal Justice and Corrections ($60,851) | |||||
| 2 | Robert Morris University · Moon Township, PA | $90,206 | $23,003 | $19,548 | 89.9% |
| With an average net price of $23,003, Robert Morris University ranks 2nd on this list and posts a six-year completion rate of 66%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Security Science and Technology (43 graduates), Criminal Justice and Corrections (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Security Science and Technology ($90,206) | |||||
| 3 | DeSales University · Center Valley, PA | $64,020 | $31,643 | $24,007 | 77.1% |
| DeSales University admits 77% of applicants and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $64,020 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (41 graduates), Homeland Security (17 graduates) | |||||
| 4 | University of Scranton · Scranton, PA | $63,483 | $32,568 | $23,896 | 81.2% |
| University of Scranton graduates 80% of its students within six years, and its Criminal Justice completers report median earnings of $63,483 four years after graduating. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (36 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($63,483) | |||||
| 5 | Delaware Valley University · Doylestown, PA | $62,317 | $28,278 | $21,896 | 93.2% |
| Ranking 5th on this list, Delaware Valley University shows median earnings of $62,317 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $28,278. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (8 graduates) | |||||
| 6 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania · Bloomsburg, PA | $62,229 | $15,699 | $11,374 | 93.1% |
| A public university, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania reports median earnings of $62,229 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $15,699. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (147 graduates), Security Science and Technology (84 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Security Science and Technology ($73,289), Criminal Justice and Corrections ($55,909) | |||||
| 7 | Widener University · Chester, PA | $60,555 | $25,759 | $21,200 | 70.9% |
| Widener University posts a six-year completion rate of 68% and median earnings of $60,555 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($60,555) | |||||
| 8 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania · Slippery Rock, PA | $60,458 | $19,608 | $12,555 | 71.5% |
| With an admission rate of 71%, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ranks 8th on this list and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $60,458 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Homeland Security (35 graduates), Criminal Justice and Corrections (15 graduates) | |||||
| 9 | York College of Pennsylvania · York, PA | $60,275 | $18,556 | $12,927 | 73.7% |
| York College of Pennsylvania reports an average net price of $18,556 and median earnings of $60,275 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (46 graduates), Security Science and Technology (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($60,275) | |||||
| 10 | Chestnut Hill College · Philadelphia, PA | $59,224 | $27,970 | $28,011 | 74.5% |
| Ranking 10th on this list, Chestnut Hill College shows median earnings of $59,224 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 74%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (24 graduates), Security Science and Technology (22 graduates) | |||||
| 11 | Alvernia University · Reading, PA | $58,810 | $28,138 | $23,436 | 58.1% |
| Alvernia University admits 58% of applicants, the lowest admission rate on the page, and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $58,810 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (31 graduates), Security Science and Technology (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($58,810) | |||||
| 12 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · University Park, PA | $58,186 | $32,875 | $19,845 | 60.6% |
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus posts a six-year completion rate of 86% and reports median earnings of $58,186 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (187 graduates), Security Science and Technology (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Security Science and Technology ($66,084), Criminal Justice and Corrections ($56,877) | |||||
| 13 | King's College · Wilkes-Barre, PA | $57,563 | $23,093 | $17,283 | 93.1% |
| King's College reports $57,563 in median earnings for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 60%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($57,563) | |||||
| 14 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania · East Stroudsburg, PA | $57,494 | $18,134 | $15,365 | 92.1% |
| A public university in East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania admits 92% of applicants and posts an average net price of $18,134. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (76 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($57,494) | |||||
| 15 | Holy Family University · Philadelphia, PA | $56,861 | $13,143 | $9,721 | 71.0% |
| Holy Family University carries an average net price of $9,721 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($56,861) | |||||
| 16 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania · Shippensburg, PA | $56,376 | $23,726 | $18,709 | 86.5% |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ranks 16th on this list with median earnings of $56,376 four years after completing, and its Azimuth composite rank among nonprofit four-year institutions is 788th. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (76 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($56,376) | |||||
| 17 | Temple University · Philadelphia, PA | $56,164 | $28,198 | $22,694 | 80.4% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 75%, Temple University reports $56,164 in median earnings for Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (187 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($56,164) | |||||
| 18 | Mercyhurst University · Erie, PA | $55,170 | $19,444 | $22,626 | 81.0% |
| Mercyhurst University admits 81% of applicants and shows an average net price of $22,626 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (35 graduates), Security Science and Technology (19 graduates) | |||||
| 19 | La Salle University · Philadelphia, PA | $55,165 | $19,409 | $16,545 | 96.6% |
| La Salle University posts median earnings of $55,165 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 57%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (54 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($55,165) | |||||
| 20 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania · Kutztown, PA | $55,068 | $21,331 | $15,957 | 90.8% |
| A public university in Kutztown, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania ranks 20th on this list and reports an average net price of $21,331. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (83 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($55,068) | |||||
| 21 | Gannon University · Erie, PA | $55,000 | $22,553 | $18,489 | 74.2% |
| Gannon University graduates 66% of its students within six years and reports median earnings of $55,000 for Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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 ($55,000) | |||||
| 22 | Gwynedd Mercy University · Gwynedd Valley, PA | $54,898 | $27,483 | $21,995 | 89.6% |
| Gwynedd Mercy University admits 90% of applicants and carries an average net price of $21,995 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (25 graduates) | |||||
| 23 | Marywood University · Scranton, PA | $54,861 | $23,388 | $18,941 | 60.6% |
| Marywood University reports a six-year completion rate of 72% and median earnings of $54,861 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (8 graduates) | |||||
| 24 | Lincoln University · Lincoln University, PA | $54,632 | $14,977 | $14,011 | 65.7% |
| Lincoln University ranks 24th on this list, with an average net price of $14,977 and an admission rate of 66%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (45 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($54,632) | |||||
| 25 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus · Pittsburgh, PA | $52,837 | $30,434 | $14,709 | 58.1% |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus reports median earnings of $52,837 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 86%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($52,837) | |||||
| 26 | Waynesburg University · Waynesburg, PA | $51,781 | $18,235 | $12,916 | 89.8% |
| A private nonprofit university in Waynesburg, Waynesburg University admits 90% of applicants and posts an average net price of $18,235. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (34 graduates), Security Science and Technology (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($51,781) | |||||
| 27 | Seton Hill University · Greensburg, PA | $50,664 | $22,204 | $15,143 | 79.5% |
| Seton Hill University ranks 1257th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $15,143 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (21 graduates), Security Science and Technology (8 graduates) | |||||
| 28 | Pennsylvania Western University · California, PA | $49,817 | $18,256 | $13,944 | 94.3% |
| Pennsylvania Western University graduates 52% of its students within six years, and its Criminal Justice completers earn a median of $49,817 four years after graduating. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (135 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($49,817) | |||||
| 29 | Point Park University · Pittsburgh, PA | $47,830 | $25,942 | $22,436 | 96.9% |
| With an admission rate of 97%, Point Park University is the most open-admission school on the page and reports median earnings of $47,830 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (24 graduates), Security Science and Technology (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($47,830) | |||||
| 30 | La Roche University · Pittsburgh, PA | $46,184 | $20,794 | $16,152 | 75.8% |
| La Roche University ranks 30th on this list, and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $46,184 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($46,184) | |||||
| 31 | Thiel College · Greenville, PA | $43,186 | $22,347 | $17,247 | 71.6% |
| Thiel College posts a six-year completion rate of 49% and an average net price of $17,247 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (10 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($43,186) | |||||
| 32 | Keystone College · La Plume, PA | $41,695 | $22,051 | $21,925 | 84.8% |
| Keystone College admits 85% of applicants, and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $41,695 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($41,695) | |||||
| 33 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania · West Chester, PA | $38,289 | $23,331 | $17,018 | 78.4% |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania reports median earnings of $38,289 for its Criminal Justice graduates two years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 71%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (190 graduates) | |||||
| 34 | Mount Aloysius College · Cresson, PA | $30,119 | $22,344 | $21,530 | 82.1% |
| Mount Aloysius College ranks 1277th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $30,119 for its Criminal Justice graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (17 graduates) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled after completing the program. For 2 of the 34 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 figures cited on this page cover the 33 schools with a reported completion median. The gap between first-ranked Neumann University and second-ranked Robert Morris University is $32,245.
Job market context in Pennsylvania
Criminal Justice is linked to occupations such as Security Guards, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers, and First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives. The median annual wage across those occupations in Pennsylvania is $62,105, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $50,410. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 3.1% higher, with 16,620 projected openings a year, or about 655 openings a year for every hundred graduates, which is more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing, while these market figures describe the occupations linked to the field; the two are not the same measure.
Related rankings
- Criminal Justice Colleges
- Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
- Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New York
- Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas
- Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Florida
- Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia
- Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania for Social Mobility