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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #381 | Augusta UniversityPublic | Augusta, GA | $50,254 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $11,064 | 86.4% | 48.8% |
| #382 | Elizabeth City, NC | $50,239 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $4,246 | 64.2% | 43.5% | |
| #383 | Rider UniversityPrivate | Lawrenceville, NJ | $50,173 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,824 | 78.6% | 61.3% |
| #384 | Peru State CollegePublic | Peru, NE | $50,150 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,986 | — | 37.6% |
| #385 | Lees-Mcrae CollegePrivate | Banner Elk, NC | $50,085 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $23,030 | 76.8% | 42.1% |
| #386 | Institute, WV | $50,063 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,457 | 96.0% | 39.2% | |
| #387 | Mitchell CollegePrivate | New London, CT | $50,035 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $26,485 | 94.7% | 42.2% |
| #388 | Springfield, MA | $50,021 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $24,437 | 99.6% | 45.9% | |
| #389 | Washburn UniversityPublic | Topeka, KS | $50,000 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $20,310 | — | 53.0% |
| #390 | Edinburg, TX | $49,979 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $3,785 | 94.2% | 50.9% | |
| #391 | University Of BridgeportPrivate | Bridgeport, CT | $49,978 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $27,238 | 83.0% | 41.2% |
| #392 | Columbus, GA | $49,956 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $11,271 | 99.1% | 41.8% | |
| #393 | Texas Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Fort Worth, TX | $49,909 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $21,812 | 69.2% | 31.5% |
| #394 | Kingsville, TX | $49,907 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $10,207 | 90.9% | 41.9% | |
| #395 | Corpus Christi, TX | $49,859 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $11,445 | 88.6% | 40.2% | |
| #396 | Las Cruces, NM | $49,834 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $6,648 | 89.0% | 55.2% | |
| #397 | Anderson UniversityPrivate | Anderson, SC | $49,825 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $17,188 | 54.7% | 65.7% |
| #398 | California, PA | $49,817 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,944 | 94.3% | 51.9% | |
| #399 | Lewiston, ID | $49,716 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,080 | 87.7% | 40.2% | |
| #400 | University Of ArkansasPublic | Fayetteville, AR | $49,690 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $14,319 | 74.3% | 70.5% |
