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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Saint Ambrose UniversityPrivate | Davenport, IA | $62,278 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $20,300 | 73.3% | 62.8% |
| #22 | Endicott CollegePrivate | Beverly, MA | $62,266 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $29,799 | 72.3% | 75.4% |
| #23 | University Of ScrantonPrivate | Scranton, PA | $61,836 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $17,968 | 84.4% | 80.8% |
| #24 | American UniversityPrivate | Washington, DC | $61,255 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $21,176 | 47.4% | 78.5% |
| #25 | Utica UniversityPrivate | Utica, NY | $61,251 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,485 | 87.2% | 55.5% |
| #26 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | Fort Worth, TX | $61,238 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,531 | 42.6% | 85.6% |
| #27 | Springfield CollegePrivate | Springfield, MA | $60,848 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $21,252 | — | 67.6% |
| #28 | Daytona Beach, FL | $60,713 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $35,431 | 61.8% | 67.4% | |
| #29 | Marymount UniversityPrivate | Arlington, VA | $60,710 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $21,888 | 80.5% | 57.9% |
| #30 | Westfield, MA | $60,570 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $11,168 | 80.7% | 54.9% | |
| #31 | San Jose, CA | $60,503 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,743 | 80.2% | 64.6% | |
| #32 | College Station, TX | $59,784 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,273 | 63.2% | 83.8% | |
| #33 | Frostburg, MD | $59,575 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $8,930 | 89.4% | 52.1% | |
| #34 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | Boston, MA | $59,550 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $5,900 | 5.7% | 90.4% |
| #35 | Oakland City UniversityPrivate | Oakland City, IN | $59,489 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,787 | 68.2% | 70.0% |
| #36 | Suny OneontaPublic | Oneonta, NY | $59,313 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $11,716 | 70.2% | 70.2% |
| #37 | Missouri Baptist UniversityPrivate | Saint Louis, MO | $59,300 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $23,437 | 64.1% | 48.2% |
| #38 | Lynn UniversityPrivate | Boca Raton, FL | $58,830 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $33,842 | 74.0% | 52.7% |
| #39 | Winona, MN | $58,646 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $14,421 | 88.8% | 67.7% | |
| #40 | New Orleans, LA | $58,528 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $20,957 | 14.6% | 88.9% |
