Criminal Justice Degree — Salary, Jobs & Best Colleges

About Criminal Justice

Law enforcement, corrections, forensic science, and homeland security — direct pathways into criminal justice careers, or a strong foundation for law school. Graduates earn a national median of $55,378 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 2,085 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 132,861 students complete degrees in this area each year.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $38,431
Median Earnings · 4yr: $55,378
Colleges Offering: 2,085
Graduates / Year: 132,861
Specializations: 5
Avg Net Price / yr: $15,908

Is a Criminal Justice Degree Right for You?

$55,378 Median earnings · 4yr

+28.5% 10yr job growth

5 Specializations

Is the Investment Worth It?

Breaks even in ~2.5 yrs vs $30K/yr baseline wage

Annual earnings

$55,378/yr

Total 4yr cost

$63,632

Solid ROI. Median earnings of $55,378 after 4 years. Against an estimated $63,632 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.5 years.

ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.

How Much Do Criminal Justice Majors Earn?

Criminal Justice graduates start at a median $38,431 one year out and reach $55,378 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 2,085 US institutions offering programs in this field.

$38,431

1 Year After Graduation

Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.

$55,378

4-Year National Median

Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.

$55,588

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.

Earnings Range Across Specializations

Not all Criminal Justice specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $86,436/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $55,378/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.

$55,378 Lowest

$55,378 Median

$86,436 Highest

What Can You Do With a Criminal Justice Degree?

Career Paths for Criminal Justice Graduates

Criminal Justice connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Information Security Analyst leads in median earnings at $129,180/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.

Information Security Analyst Bachelor's degree

$129,180 ↗ +28.5% growth

Financial Examiners Bachelor's degree

$94,160 ↗ +18.5% growth

Detective & Criminal Investigator High school diploma or equivalent

$93,790 ↘ -0.7% growth

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers Postsecondary nondegree award

$93,530 ↗ +3.4% growth

Emergency Management Directors Bachelor's degree

$93,330 ↗ +3.0% growth

Accountant Bachelor's degree

$83,680 ↗ +4.6% growth

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists Bachelor's degree

$81,390 ↗ +6.4% growth

Compliance Officers Bachelor's degree

$80,730 ↗ +3.0% growth

Criminal Justice Specializations

Criminal Justice breaks into 5 specializations. Earnings range widely from $55,378 to $86,436 at the four-year mark. Each row links to a dedicated program profile. Sorted highest-paying first, based on national College Scorecard data.

Specialization Colleges Grads/yr Earnings · 4yr

Fire Protection 488 13,533 $86,436

Homeland Security 335 6,480 $70,193

Homeland Security 104 1,416 $67,934

Public Safety 498 8,130 $57,805

Criminal Justice 1,899 103,302 $55,378

Best Colleges for Criminal Justice

The 20 colleges below are ranked by Criminal Justice graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY · Public

Acceptance 57.1%

Net price/yr $3,203

Earnings 10yr $56,195

Grad rate 52%

Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH · Nonprofit

Acceptance 99.5%

Net price/yr $36,708

Earnings 10yr $50,318

Grad rate 30%

Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit

Acceptance 99%

Net price/yr $29,357

Earnings 10yr $44,813

Grad rate 34%

Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX · Public

Acceptance 90.3%

Net price/yr $16,404

Earnings 10yr $54,211

Grad rate 60%

University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA · Public

Acceptance 16.8%

Net price/yr $21,565

Earnings 10yr $86,863

Grad rate 90%

Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public

Acceptance 24.2%

Net price/yr $11,297

Earnings 10yr $61,675

Grad rate 78%

University of New Haven West Haven, CT · Nonprofit

Acceptance 60.4%

Net price/yr $34,192

Earnings 10yr $60,126

Grad rate 59%

Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ · Nonprofit

Acceptance 78.9%

Net price/yr $22,472

Earnings 10yr $42,186

Grad rate 42%

Florida International University Miami, FL · Public

Acceptance 54.7%

Net price/yr $9,288

Earnings 10yr $60,249

Grad rate 54%

University of Central Florida Orlando, FL · Public

Acceptance 40.1%

Net price/yr $10,411

Earnings 10yr $58,308

Grad rate 55%

George Mason University Fairfax, VA · Public

Acceptance 87.5%

Net price/yr $17,915

Earnings 10yr $76,343

Grad rate 74%

California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, CA · Public

Acceptance 94%

Net price/yr $9,338

Earnings 10yr $64,876

Grad rate 64%

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TX · Public

Acceptance 94.2%

Net price/yr $4,831

Earnings 10yr $49,620

Grad rate 50%

University at Albany Albany, NY · Public

Acceptance 69.1%

Net price/yr $17,167

Earnings 10yr $67,979

Grad rate 63%

Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FL · Nonprofit

Acceptance 78.4%

Net price/yr $21,293

Earnings 10yr $48,364

Grad rate 38%

California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA · Public

Acceptance 93.5%

Net price/yr $7,021

Earnings 10yr $59,115

Grad rate 64%

Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA · Public

Acceptance 92.6%

Net price/yr $23,433

Earnings 10yr $58,128

Grad rate 66%

California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public

Acceptance 91.3%

Net price/yr $3,967

Earnings 10yr $59,211

Grad rate 62%

Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY · Public

Acceptance 77.6%

Net price/yr $11,040

Earnings 10yr $45,795

Grad rate 41%

Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN · Public

Acceptance Open

Net price/yr $7,258

Earnings 10yr $37,186

Grad rate 15%

View all colleges

Ranked by number of Criminal Justice graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →

How Criminal Justice Compares to Similar Majors

Major

$30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k $100k

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Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Criminal Justice degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Criminal Justice degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Criminal Justice Degree: Pros & Cons

Criminal Justice carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 4 strengths and 2 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS

Above-average earnings Four-year median of $55,378 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science fields.
Growing field Top career paths show up to +28.5% projected 10-year growth per BLS, including Information Security Analyst.
Wide availability Offered at 2,085 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
High-earning specializations available Top specializations report median earnings of $86,436, creating strong upside for students who choose a high-demand track.

CONS

Declining roles in some areas 1 related career within this field show negative 10-year employment projections per BLS. Research specific roles carefully before committing.
Highly competitive job market Approximately 132,861 students graduate in this field each year, one of the highest volumes among all majors.

Criminal Justice Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Criminal Justice graduates earn?

Criminal Justice graduates earn a national median of $55,378 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.

What is the starting salary for a Criminal Justice degree?

The median earnings one year after graduation for Criminal Justice degree holders is $38,431 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.

What jobs can you get with a Criminal Justice degree?

Criminal Justice degree holders work in a range of careers. Information Security Analyst is one of the top roles by median wage ($129,180/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.

How many colleges offer Criminal Justice?

2,085 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Criminal Justice, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.

Is a Criminal Justice degree worth it?

At a median 4-year earnings of $55,378 and an average net price of roughly $15,908/yr across institutions offering this major, a Criminal Justice degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.

How long does it take to earn a Criminal Justice degree?

A bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.

What skills do employers look for in Criminal Justice graduates?

Employers hiring Criminal Justice graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, data analysis, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Employers in government, nonprofit, and research roles look for experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, and statistical analysis.

What is the 10-year job outlook for Criminal Justice graduates?

Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Criminal Justice graduates is strong, with an average of +8.3% projected growth across related occupations. Information Security Analyst is among the strongest-growth roles at +28.5%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.