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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #281 | Husson UniversityPrivate | Bangor, ME | $54,847 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,606 | 81.0% | 59.4% |
| #282 | Denton, TX | $54,824 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,311 | 72.2% | 60.7% | |
| #283 | Little Rock, AR | $54,793 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $8,384 | — | 43.0% | |
| #284 | Hamilton, OH | $54,768 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $7,760 | — | 24.9% | |
| #285 | Fayetteville, NC | $54,767 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $6,233 | 82.2% | 38.5% | |
| #286 | Thomas CollegePrivate | Waterville, ME | $54,649 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,655 | 96.3% | 53.7% |
| #287 | Suny BrockportPublic | Brockport, NY | $54,634 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $10,911 | 70.7% | 55.1% |
| #288 | Defiance CollegePrivate | Defiance, OH | $54,633 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $27,196 | 47.5% | 30.6% |
| #289 | Lincoln UniversityPublic | Lincoln University, PA | $54,632 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $14,011 | 65.7% | 43.5% |
| #290 | Utah Tech UniversityPublic | Saint George, UT | $54,536 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,158 | — | 38.4% |
| #291 | Lamar UniversityPublic | Beaumont, TX | $54,509 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $7,568 | 86.4% | 37.3% |
| #292 | Adelphi UniversityPrivate | Garden City, NY | $54,469 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $24,095 | 65.9% | 67.2% |
| #293 | St. Thomas UniversityPrivate | Miami Gardens, FL | $54,337 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $24,657 | 97.9% | 48.1% |
| #294 | San Bernardino, CA | $54,275 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $2,681 | 93.7% | 54.9% | |
| #295 | Cincinnati, OH | $54,231 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $17,974 | 85.3% | 75.0% | |
| #296 | Caldwell UniversityPrivate | Caldwell, NJ | $54,225 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $18,059 | 71.3% | 57.5% |
| #297 | Guilford CollegePrivate | Greensboro, NC | $54,209 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $18,367 | 80.0% | 45.8% |
| #298 | Northridge, CA | $54,169 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $4,905 | 93.5% | 57.0% | |
| #299 | Kenosha, WI | $54,156 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $7,425 | 75.4% | 40.4% | |
| #300 | Hilbert CollegePrivate | Hamburg, NY | $54,102 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $20,903 | 97.2% | 56.3% |
