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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #541 | Claflin UniversityPrivate | Orangeburg, SC | $41,353 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,354 | 64.9% | 51.6% |
| #542 | Lindsey Wilson CollegePrivate | Columbia, KY | $40,618 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $14,745 | — | 44.1% |
| #543 | Charleston, IL | $40,489 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,828 | 65.3% | 47.4% | |
| #544 | Azusa Pacific UniversityPrivate | Azusa, CA | $40,091 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,781 | 88.4% | 61.8% |
| #545 | St. Mary's UniversityPrivate | San Antonio, TX | $39,931 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $18,352 | 97.8% | 58.9% |
| #546 | Georgia Gwinnett CollegePublic | Lawrenceville, GA | $39,909 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $14,356 | 95.5% | 21.5% |
| #547 | Mount Marty UniversityPrivate | Yankton, SD | $39,729 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $19,564 | 42.6% | 52.4% |
| #548 | Oklahoma City, OK | $39,369 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $14,517 | 91.8% | 44.2% | |
| #549 | Dakota Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Mitchell, SD | $39,369 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,251 | 73.4% | 48.3% |
| #550 | Benedict CollegePrivate | Columbia, SC | $39,337 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $17,177 | 95.7% | 24.3% |
| #551 | The University Of FindlayPrivate | Findlay, OH | $39,009 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $22,052 | 83.4% | 57.9% |
| #552 | West Chester, PA | $38,289 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $17,018 | 78.4% | 70.5% | |
| #553 | Pineville, LA | $38,289 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,203 | 77.2% | 43.9% | |
| #554 | Hilo, HI | $38,185 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $8,983 | 60.6% | 48.4% | |
| #555 | San Jose, CA | $37,748 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,730 | 84.6% | 69.2% | |
| #556 | Edgewood CollegePrivate | Madison, WI | $37,424 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $22,291 | 75.7% | 60.2% |
| #557 | Kansas Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Salina, KS | $37,301 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $18,192 | 71.9% | 48.6% |
| #558 | Maryville, MO | $37,208 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,176 | 86.1% | 54.2% | |
| #559 | Shreveport, LA | $37,199 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $30,758 | — | 33.0% | |
| #560 | Dallas, TX | $37,199 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $24,193 | — | — |
