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 | Iona UniversityPrivate | New Rochelle, NY | $58,268 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $25,063 | 91.1% | 57.4% |
| #42 | Aurora UniversityPrivate | Aurora, IL | $58,259 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,980 | 85.1% | 58.3% |
| #43 | East Lansing, MI | $58,230 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $8,119 | 83.9% | 82.2% | |
| #44 | Oshkosh, WI | $58,148 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,232 | 86.7% | 57.9% | |
| #45 | Thomas UniversityPrivate | Thomasville, GA | $58,064 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,047 | 43.2% | 27.8% |
| #46 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | Rohnert Park, CA | $58,007 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,406 | 94.7% | 60.5% |
| #47 | Hayward, CA | $57,898 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $8,059 | 96.8% | 45.5% | |
| #48 | Siena Heights UniversityPrivate | Adrian, MI | $57,804 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,529 | 66.6% | 51.1% |
| #49 | Bowie State UniversityPublic | Bowie, MD | $57,571 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,935 | 83.5% | 38.1% |
| #50 | Farmingdale, NY | $57,524 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $3,865 | 69.1% | 57.1% | |
| #51 | Riverside, CA | $57,399 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $23,788 | 73.6% | 59.5% | |
| #52 | Queens, NY | $57,367 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $23,468 | 79.7% | 68.5% | |
| #53 | Worcester, MA | $57,354 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,035 | 89.9% | 55.5% | |
| #54 | Winona State UniversityPublic | Winona, MN | $57,296 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $11,400 | 68.5% | 60.9% |
| #55 | Widener UniversityPrivate | Chester, PA | $57,188 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $25,328 | 84.0% | 63.5% |
| #56 | Sault Ste Marie, MI | $56,986 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,949 | 68.0% | 56.9% | |
| #57 | Columbia CollegePrivate | Columbia, SC | $56,827 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $23,126 | 95.8% | 53.5% |
| #58 | Orangeburg, NY | $56,685 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $21,435 | 78.8% | 56.8% | |
| #59 | Franklin Pierce UniversityPrivate | Rindge, NH | $56,648 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $22,101 | 90.2% | 46.1% |
| #60 | Saint Xavier UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $56,487 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,181 | 85.8% | 59.0% |
