Criminal Justice and Corrections

What graduates really earn, where the degree pays off most, and whether the numbers add up for you.

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$39,338

Median Earnings

$54,649

Schools Offering

616

ROI Grade

C+

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $49,817Median: $54,64975th: $59,020

Best Schools for Criminal Justice and Corrections by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Calumet College of Saint Joseph IN · Private	29	$106,465	$22,451	$23,856	B
2	University of New Hampshire-Main Campus NH · Public	74	$81,768	$23,805	N/A	-
3	University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online NH · Public	72	$81,768	$10,864	N/A	-
4	National University CA · Private	64	$81,299	$22,878	$28,014	B
5	Fisher College MA · Private	23	$80,136	$26,649	$27,000	C
6	George Washington University DC · Private	88	$80,070	$36,586	$20,500	B
7	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota MN · Private	77	$79,464	$11,704	$28,708	B
8	Quinnipiac University CT · Private	79	$79,098	$40,675	$27,000	C
9	Trinity Christian College IL · Private	58	$78,165	$19,125	N/A	-
10	Northeastern University MA · Private	91	$77,477	$30,915	$22,809	B
11	Anna Maria College MA · Private	28	$76,013	$28,333	$27,000	B
12	Nichols College MA · Private	45	$75,321	$33,036	$27,000	C
13	Central Christian College of Kansas KS · Private	28	$74,997	$11,404	$36,076	C
14	Seattle University WA · Private	79	$74,018	$34,662	$21,247	B
15	Concordia University-Saint Paul MN · Private	67	$73,060	$18,462	$28,076	C
16	Marymount University VA · Private	63	$73,058	$29,137	$25,000	D
17	Siena Heights University MI · Private	59	$72,791	$17,124	$22,250	B+
18	Nova Southeastern University FL · Private	53	$71,972	$30,371	N/A	-
19	Mercer University GA · Private	55	$71,602	$23,847	$46,775	F
20	Marian University WI · Private	45	$70,934	$21,937	N/A	-
21	Roger Williams University RI · Private	63	$70,747	$37,999	$26,000	C
22	Columbia Southern University AL · Private	69	$70,354	$14,580	$30,204	C+
23	Franklin Pierce University NH · Private	39	$70,125	$27,154	$27,000	C
24	Norwich University VT · Private	71	$70,075	$22,257	$26,000	C
25	Utica University NY · Private	66	$69,898	$19,108	$26,000	C
26	University of Maryland Global Campus MD · Public	63	$69,848	$22,063	$25,062	C+
27	Merrimack College MA · Private	70	$69,615	$37,927	$27,000	C
28	Herzing University-Atlanta GA · Private	11	$69,601	$21,679	$28,399	B
29	Herzing University-Minneapolis MN · Private	16	$69,601	$16,670	$28,399	B
30	Herzing University-Kenosha WI · Private	23	$69,601	$23,066	$28,399	B
31	Herzing University-Brookfield WI · Private	14	$69,601	$20,514	$28,399	B
32	American Public University System WV · Private	50	$69,546	$9,597	$19,000	B+
33	George Mason University VA · Public	86	$69,511	$17,915	$20,761	C+
34	Lynn University FL · Private	35	$68,824	$44,089	$19,500	C+
35	Reinhardt University GA · Private	27	$67,847	$24,425	$27,475	B
36	Monmouth University NJ · Private	63	$67,842	$30,988	$27,000	D
37	Salve Regina University RI · Private	69	$67,622	$36,967	$27,000	D
38	Minot State University ND · Public	63	$67,554	$12,703	$26,343	C
39	Westfield State University MA · Public	63	$67,363	$16,721	$24,422	C
40	Bowie State University MD · Public	40	$67,303	$19,298	$29,750	D
41	Centenary University NJ · Private	53	$67,181	$20,503	$20,500	C
42	Saint Edward's University TX · Private	54	$66,986	$25,578	$24,949	C
43	American University DC · Private	74	$66,970	$41,943	$23,250	C
44	Sonoma State University CA · Public	81	$66,892	$12,885	$20,000	C+
45	Felician University NJ · Private	40	$66,879	$40,045	$27,000	C
46	Saint Cloud State University MN · Public	62	$66,850	$13,529	$21,500	B
47	Western Connecticut State University CT · Public	60	$66,510	$17,604	$24,875	C
48	University of Massachusetts-Lowell MA · Public	76	$66,258	$17,163	$26,000	C
49	Tiffin University OH · Private	14	$66,059	$26,500	$30,758	C
50	Marist University NY · Private	74	$65,881	$41,544	$26,000	D

School-by-school analysis: Criminal Justice and Corrections

Editorial breakdowns of how criminal justice and corrections graduates fare at the top-earning programs in our dataset.

Calumet College of Saint Joseph

IN · Private · $106,465 4yr earnings · $23,856 median debt

Criminal Justice is the standout, earning a B grade with 65 graduates per cycle - the largest program at Calumet. Graduates earn $55,587 one year out and an exceptional $106,465 at four years, against $23,856 median debt. The 0.429 debt-to-earnings ratio is well within healthy territory. The four-year earnings figure suggests significant pipeline into Illinois and Indiana law enforcement careers with strong pension and overtime profiles. For students who know they want this career and can complete, Calumet is genuinely a value path.

National University

CA · Private · $81,299 4yr earnings · $28,014 median debt

Criminal Justice (103 graduates) earns $64,143 year-one and $81,299 four-year, debt-to-earnings 0.437 (ROI grade B). National University has a significant criminal justice program that serves law enforcement, corrections, and homeland security professionals seeking degree credentials for advancement. The year-one figure ($64,143) reflects that many enrolled students are already employed in the field - the degree produces a credential premium rather than a career entry. San Diego's proximity to federal agencies and military installations creates demand for criminal justice credentials.

Fisher College

MA · Private · $80,136 4yr earnings · $27,000 median debt

Criminal Justice (22 grads) earns a C ROI grade. First-year earnings of $45,695 climb to $80,136 by year four - the second-highest four-year figure on Fisher's program list. Massachusetts municipal and state law enforcement starting salaries explain the strong wage growth. This program is one of Fisher's clearest value propositions.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

MN · Private · $79,464 4yr earnings · $28,708 median debt

Criminal Justice produces 12 graduates with $64,894 first-year earnings - unusually high for a CJ program and likely reflecting placements into federal and state-level positions in Minnesota - rising to $79,464 by year four. $28,708 median debt and a 0.442 ratio earn a B grade. One of Saint Mary's standout ROI programs.

Below Average Value

Is Criminal Justice and Corrections Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

Be honest with yourself about the money on Criminal Justice and Corrections. At an average $39,338 four years out, the payback can be long, especially at a pricey school. That doesn't make the field a mistake - it means the cost side has to be managed tightly, so lean toward low debt.

With 616 schools offering it, you've got room to be choosy - shop for the best ROI in the field instead of settling for wherever takes you.

The top earner here is University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, where graduates pull $81,768 four years out. But an average hides a wide spread - where you go, and what you do with the degree, matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Criminal Justice and Corrections All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

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Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.