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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #501 | Culver-Stockton CollegePrivate | Canton, MO | $45,287 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $17,712 | 99.1% | 39.2% |
| #502 | Alabama State UniversityPublic | Montgomery, AL | $45,173 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $19,711 | 97.5% | 30.3% |
| #503 | Limestone UniversityPrivate | Gaffney, SC | $45,133 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,772 | 97.3% | 35.3% |
| #504 | Orangeburg, SC | $45,061 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,846 | 82.6% | 36.6% | |
| #505 | Fort Valley, GA | $45,033 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,017 | 65.9% | 41.1% | |
| #506 | Lane CollegePrivate | Jackson, TN | $45,008 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $10,904 | — | 18.4% |
| #507 | Tallahassee, FL | $44,891 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,299 | 20.6% | 53.3% | |
| #508 | Chowan UniversityPrivate | Murfreesboro, NC | $44,858 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,726 | 68.8% | 29.9% |
| #509 | Lakewood, CO | $44,849 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $26,010 | — | 64.4% | |
| #510 | New Orleans, LA | $44,723 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $14,771 | 78.9% | 13.1% | |
| #511 | Tyler, TX | $44,607 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $10,307 | 94.0% | 54.1% | |
| #512 | Magnolia, AR | $44,523 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,187 | 75.3% | 48.8% | |
| #513 | Brunswick, GA | $44,274 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,298 | 98.1% | 25.6% | |
| #514 | Natchitoches, LA | $44,267 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $11,693 | 92.5% | 43.2% | |
| #515 | Regent UniversityPrivate | Virginia Beach, VA | $44,176 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $20,064 | 38.1% | 56.9% |
| #516 | Grambling, LA | $44,033 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $18,666 | 44.9% | 36.2% | |
| #517 | Johnson City, TN | $43,998 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,433 | 86.2% | 53.2% | |
| #518 | Little Rock, AR | $43,990 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,195 | 58.8% | 41.6% | |
| #519 | Middletown, OH | $43,918 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $7,452 | — | 31.8% | |
| #520 | Rocky Mount, NC | $43,805 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,114 | 80.2% | 42.0% |
