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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #101 | Saint Ambrose UniversityPrivate | Davenport, IA | $61,988 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $22,037 | 77.3% | 61.0% |
| #102 | New Brunswick, NJ | $61,817 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,343 | 58.1% | 83.6% | |
| #103 | Newark, NJ | $61,817 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,420 | 71.4% | 63.7% | |
| #104 | Camden, NJ | $61,817 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,797 | 66.3% | 66.7% | |
| #105 | Havre, MT | $61,748 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,940 | — | 41.1% | |
| #106 | University Of St FrancisPrivate | Joliet, IL | $61,741 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $8,547 | 65.3% | 66.8% |
| #107 | Norman, OK | $61,731 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $10,509 | 76.6% | 75.3% | |
| #108 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | Lynchburg, VA | $61,715 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $30,667 | 99.0% | 65.3% |
| #109 | Ewing, NJ | $61,605 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $7,908 | 62.3% | 85.9% | |
| #110 | Saint Edward's UniversityPrivate | Austin, TX | $61,566 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $20,799 | 81.4% | 62.6% |
| #111 | Stevenson UniversityPrivate | Owings Mills, MD | $61,348 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,894 | 78.9% | 68.5% |
| #112 | Thomas UniversityPrivate | Thomasville, GA | $61,295 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,640 | 38.3% | 27.5% |
| #113 | Denver, CO | $61,192 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $6,743 | 74.7% | 46.2% | |
| #114 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | Ames, IA | $61,166 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $10,582 | 88.7% | 75.3% |
| #115 | East Greenwich, RI | $61,128 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $32,208 | 66.7% | 59.5% | |
| #116 | Saint Louis UniversityPrivate | Saint Louis, MO | $61,099 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $22,501 | 75.0% | 79.5% |
| #117 | Aurora UniversityPrivate | Aurora, IL | $60,808 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $14,525 | 80.8% | 60.3% |
| #118 | Ellensburg, WA | $60,761 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $11,846 | 90.6% | 53.6% | |
| #119 | Texas Woman's UniversityPublic | Denton, TX | $60,708 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,948 | 96.1% | 49.1% |
| #120 | Oakland UniversityPublic | Rochester Hills, MI | $60,686 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $4,422 | 87.8% | 57.6% |
