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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #161 | Buffalo, NY | $50,353 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $10,684 | 75.9% | 36.0% | |
| #162 | Quinnipiac UniversityPrivate | Hamden, CT | $50,340 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $31,257 | 77.0% | 77.3% |
| #163 | Gannon UniversityPrivate | Erie, PA | $50,290 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,808 | 76.7% | 69.5% |
| #164 | Platteville, WI | $50,271 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $8,666 | 87.3% | 61.5% | |
| #165 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | Detroit, MI | $50,227 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,337 | 82.0% | 56.5% |
| #166 | Truman State UniversityPublic | Kirksville, MO | $50,100 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $7,322 | 80.0% | 68.4% |
| #167 | Saint Louis UniversityPrivate | Saint Louis, MO | $50,011 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $20,869 | 81.5% | 79.8% |
| #168 | Chicago, IL | $49,977 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,257 | 78.5% | 60.3% | |
| #169 | Saint Leo UniversityPrivate | Saint Leo, FL | $49,948 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,216 | 72.1% | 48.8% |
| #170 | Centenary UniversityPrivate | Hackettstown, NJ | $49,938 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,735 | 96.7% | 56.6% |
| #171 | Tempe, AZ | $49,826 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $8,909 | 90.2% | 67.8% | |
| #172 | San Diego, CA | $49,823 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,655 | 34.4% | 78.3% | |
| #173 | University Of HartfordPrivate | West Hartford, CT | $49,821 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $25,641 | 83.0% | 58.3% |
| #174 | Kutztown, PA | $49,795 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,925 | 94.8% | 54.1% | |
| #175 | Denver, CO | $49,790 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,135 | 77.8% | 47.4% | |
| #176 | Canisius UniversityPrivate | Buffalo, NY | $49,756 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,369 | 81.8% | 70.7% |
| #177 | Seattle, WA | $49,755 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $6,398 | 42.5% | 83.7% | |
| #178 | Arlington, TX | $49,734 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,535 | 81.3% | 56.5% | |
| #179 | Simpson CollegePrivate | Indianola, IA | $49,733 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,172 | 88.9% | 65.7% |
| #180 | Greeley, CO | $49,725 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $14,505 | 86.4% | 51.3% |
