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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #561 | Fort Wayne, IN | $36,684 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,720 | 96.0% | 55.0% | |
| #562 | Alfred, NY | $36,312 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,628 | 75.7% | 55.1% | |
| #563 | Wiley UniversityPrivate | Marshall, TX | $35,424 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $6,137 | — | 24.2% |
| #564 | Mount Vernon, OH | $35,416 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $22,358 | 84.2% | 68.1% | |
| #565 | Shreveport, LA | $35,276 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $5,680 | 50.5% | 37.5% | |
| #566 | Southwest Baptist UniversityPrivate | Bolivar, MO | $35,060 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $21,978 | 68.4% | 55.3% |
| #567 | Livingstone CollegePrivate | Salisbury, NC | $35,015 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,860 | 59.3% | 28.2% |
| #568 | Hannibal-Lagrange UniversityPrivate | Hannibal, MO | $34,526 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $21,285 | 72.6% | 50.4% |
| #569 | Elmira CollegePrivate | Elmira, NY | $33,993 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $17,392 | 77.0% | 64.7% |
| #570 | Dallas Baptist UniversityPrivate | Dallas, TX | $33,993 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $25,326 | 88.8% | 57.0% |
| #571 | Bethel UniversityPrivate | Mishawaka, IN | $33,993 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $17,580 | 97.7% | 53.2% |
| #572 | Freed-Hardeman UniversityPrivate | Henderson, TN | $33,993 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $20,988 | 59.7% | 70.8% |
| #573 | Morris CollegePrivate | Sumter, SC | $33,679 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $20,485 | — | 17.3% |
| #574 | Lincoln Memorial UniversityPrivate | Harrogate, TN | $33,459 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $15,644 | 62.6% | 49.7% |
| #575 | Missouri Valley CollegePrivate | Marshall, MO | $33,459 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $16,132 | 69.2% | 22.4% |
| #576 | Barton CollegePrivate | Wilson, NC | $33,281 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $19,641 | 94.2% | 45.9% |
| #577 | Crookston, MN | $33,062 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $5,758 | 87.9% | 49.8% | |
| #578 | Carolina, PR | $32,928 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,287 | 54.5% | 37.3% | |
| #579 | Billings, MT | $31,890 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $13,927 | — | 30.0% | |
| #580 | Abilene Christian UniversityPrivate | Abilene, TX | $31,741 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $20,285 | 100.0% | 59.0% |
