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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Utah Valley UniversityPublic | Orem, UT | $76,575 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $3,904 | — | 45.1% |
| #22 | Excelsior UniversityPrivate | Albany, NY | $75,828 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | — | — | — |
| #23 | Nichols CollegePrivate | Dudley, MA | $75,321 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $22,054 | 80.8% | 62.6% |
| #24 | Mcpherson, KS | $74,997 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $11,689 | 52.7% | 27.0% | |
| #25 | Saint Paul, MN | $73,060 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,406 | 78.9% | 45.9% | |
| #26 | Marymount UniversityPrivate | Arlington, VA | $73,058 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $27,413 | 93.2% | 53.5% |
| #27 | Siena Heights UniversityPrivate | Adrian, MI | $72,791 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,624 | 68.9% | 38.6% |
| #28 | Nova Southeastern UniversityPrivate | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $71,972 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $26,603 | 73.2% | 63.3% |
| #29 | Mercer UniversityPrivate | Macon, GA | $71,602 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $19,817 | 68.9% | 69.6% |
| #30 | Durham, NH | $71,129 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,523 | 88.2% | 76.1% | |
| #31 | Manchester, NH | $71,129 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $3,181 | 80.9% | 50.0% | |
| #32 | Marian UniversityPrivate | Fond Du Lac, WI | $70,934 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $17,449 | 75.0% | 44.2% |
| #33 | Roger Williams UniversityPrivate | Bristol, RI | $70,747 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $29,778 | 87.7% | 68.7% |
| #34 | Franklin Pierce UniversityPrivate | Rindge, NH | $70,125 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $19,364 | 93.5% | 53.5% |
| #35 | Norwich UniversityPrivate | Northfield, VT | $70,075 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,610 | 74.4% | 60.2% |
| #36 | Merrimack CollegePrivate | North Andover, MA | $69,615 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $31,710 | 70.0% | 70.0% |
| #37 | Herzing University-MadisonPrivate | Madison, WI | $69,601 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $21,557 | 94.3% | 28.4% |
| #38 | Herzing University-AtlantaPrivate | Atlanta, GA | $69,601 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $21,612 | 93.8% | 14.0% |
| #39 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | Syracuse, NY | $69,491 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,817 | 45.9% | 83.6% |
| #40 | University At AlbanyPublic | Albany, NY | $69,365 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $11,112 | 69.1% | 61.5% |
