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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #141 | Miami Dade CollegePublic | Miami, FL | $60,067 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $4,822 | — | 45.9% |
| #142 | Hood CollegePrivate | Frederick, MD | $60,022 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $12,424 | 77.8% | 56.9% |
| #143 | Southern Utah UniversityPublic | Cedar City, UT | $60,008 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $6,070 | 81.8% | 60.7% |
| #144 | New England CollegePrivate | Henniker, NH | $59,998 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $25,598 | 92.1% | 34.5% |
| #145 | Tempe, AZ | $59,973 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,070 | 89.9% | 68.0% | |
| #146 | Plymouth, NH | $59,937 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $14,676 | 87.5% | 52.0% | |
| #147 | Salem State UniversityPublic | Salem, MA | $59,774 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $10,516 | 95.9% | 49.8% |
| #148 | Florida State UniversityPublic | Tallahassee, FL | $59,747 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $5,938 | 24.2% | 85.6% |
| #149 | Washington, DC | $59,708 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $7,928 | 99.5% | 49.3% | |
| #150 | New York, NY | $59,704 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $1,073 | 57.1% | 55.8% | |
| #151 | Jersey City, NJ | $59,644 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $14,005 | 98.4% | 33.9% | |
| #152 | Oswego, NY | $59,563 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $8,714 | 80.5% | 60.4% | |
| #153 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | Chicago, IL | $59,525 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $28,992 | 81.6% | 73.0% |
| #154 | Fargo, ND | $59,477 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $9,370 | 95.0% | 63.9% | |
| #155 | Park UniversityPrivate | Parkville, MO | $59,401 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $18,687 | — | 38.4% |
| #156 | Marquette, MI | $59,390 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $7,697 | 84.0% | 52.1% | |
| #157 | Friends UniversityPrivate | Wichita, KS | $59,387 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $21,714 | 55.2% | 43.4% |
| #158 | Akron, OH | $59,384 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $10,413 | 59.7% | 51.9% | |
| #159 | Alva, OK | $59,355 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $6,439 | 65.5% | 30.3% | |
| #160 | Chicago, IL | $59,295 Median Criminal Justice Earnings | $7,529 | 77.3% | 61.6% |
