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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #41 | Lynn UniversityPrivate | Boca Raton, FL | $68,824 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $40,711 | 73.5% | 52.1% |
| #42 | Reinhardt UniversityPrivate | Waleska, GA | $67,847 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $21,877 | 61.5% | 43.6% |
| #43 | Monmouth UniversityPrivate | West Long Branch, NJ | $67,842 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $18,924 | 89.0% | 71.9% |
| #44 | Salve Regina UniversityPrivate | Newport, RI | $67,622 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $26,939 | 68.2% | 76.9% |
| #45 | Minot State UniversityPublic | Minot, ND | $67,554 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,492 | 64.6% | 45.1% |
| #46 | Westfield, MA | $67,363 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $10,751 | 81.4% | 54.4% | |
| #47 | Bowie State UniversityPublic | Bowie, MD | $67,303 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $17,071 | 72.4% | 38.2% |
| #48 | Centenary UniversityPrivate | Hackettstown, NJ | $67,181 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,329 | 83.1% | 56.0% |
| #49 | American UniversityPrivate | Washington, DC | $66,970 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $23,233 | 62.0% | 75.5% |
| #50 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | Rohnert Park, CA | $66,892 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $8,310 | 93.4% | 57.6% |
| #51 | Felician UniversityPrivate | Lodi, NJ | $66,879 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $39,626 | — | 47.2% |
| #52 | Saint Cloud, MN | $66,850 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $8,909 | 94.8% | 40.3% | |
| #53 | Danbury, CT | $66,510 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,507 | 87.0% | 51.8% | |
| #54 | Lowell, MA | $66,258 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,943 | 83.0% | 64.8% | |
| #55 | Marist UniversityPrivate | Poughkeepsie, NY | $65,881 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $26,083 | 56.5% | 79.6% |
| #56 | Bethel UniversityPrivate | Mckenzie, TN | $65,696 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $11,871 | 60.2% | 35.0% |
| #57 | High Point UniversityPrivate | High Point, NC | $65,607 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $32,763 | 75.3% | 73.7% |
| #58 | Riverside, CA | $65,603 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $22,298 | 84.9% | 61.9% | |
| #59 | Worcester, MA | $65,588 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $8,793 | 88.0% | 61.5% | |
| #60 | Charleston, SC | $65,574 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,430 | 22.7% | 75.0% |
