Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Schools are assigned a value from 1-100, where 100 is best for students from households earning up to $30,000. This value is multiplied by the percentage of the school’s student body that received a Pell Grant, to calculate the economic mobility score. A higher score is better. Read the full explanation
The percentage of a school’s student body that has received a Pell Grant.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Criminal justice majors study how and why crimes get committed and what society can do about it. The subject is a fascinating one.
Unfortunately, however, many people with a bachelor’s in criminal justice fail to find a well-paying job in their field. That makes it all the more important to find an affordable criminal justice program that will pay off after graduation.
We unveil the best colleges for criminal justice in 2024 – by value for money. These programs offer the best possible combination of affordability and earnings potential after you leave college.
www.degreechoices.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Is criminal justice a good major?
Criminal justice is certainly an interesting major, but economically speaking, it’s not so hot. In fact, criminal justice is in the bottom 40% of all majors by value for money, according to our economic score metric.
Despite being one of the most popular undergraduate degrees, 4 years after graduating, criminal justice majors earn $5,996 less than the average bachelor’s holder.
Use our major comparison tool below to compare criminal justice to other degrees.
Click on a degree card to reveal more information.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
-$5,996
PAYBACK
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
4.1
ECONOMIC SCORE
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
We ranked all accredited criminal justice bachelor’s programs in the U.S. that are registered with the National Center for Education Statistics’ IPEDS tool (CIP code 43.01).
We evaluated 532 bachelor’s programs and ranked them by value for money, as reflected in our economic score metric. The lower the economic score, the better.
Criminal justice programs with a low economic score provide the optimal combination of affordability and high earnings after graduation.
All data on net cost and post-graduation economic outcomes is sourced from IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$19,861
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$118,578
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate78%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
A private college in Cincinnati Ohio, UI&U is an online institution. It has an exceptional criminal justice program that leads to post-college earnings that are far above average for the field, making it the best-value criminal justice program on the market. Its flexible online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management is designed for working criminal justice professionals who want to climb the career ladder and assume management and executive positions. Students can choose between concentrations in homeland security and organizational leadership. Note that according to its Wikipedia page, this university is currently experiencing financial hardship that may affect financial aid.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$2,699
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$55,358
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate61%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The second-best college in the U.S. for criminal justice has the field in its name: CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice is a public university that provides many high-value criminal justice degrees leading to jobs in the field. Thanks to its affordable tuition, students graduate without excessive debt. It is one of the first universities in the United States devoted to police science.
CUNY John Jay provides many types of criminal justice degrees at the bachelor’s level; students can choose to focus on institutional theory & practice, criminal justice management, crime control & prevention, criminology, deviance, crime & culture, forensic science, fraud examination, and more.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$3,302
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$50,806
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The third-best college in America for criminal justice is California State University, Los Angeles, often referred to as Cal State LA. This affordable, diverse public university is an officially designated Hispanic-serving institution.
Its School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics offers a popular B.S. in Criminal Justice that gives students a thorough grounding in theory, research methodology, data analysis, criminal law, and more, empowering them to propose innovative responses to contemporary justice problems at multiple levels.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$4,026
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$46,484
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate67%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
A public university in the California State system, which is well known throughout the country for its affordability, Cal State Dominguez Hills is home to the 4th best criminal justice program in the country. Its unique Criminal Justice Administration program provides professional preparation in national and local law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, homeland security, and intelligence analysis.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$5,298
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$48,001
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Florida International University, or FIU, is a public research university in Miami-Dade County. It is one of the largest universities in the country. FIU offers the 5th best Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in the U.S by value for money.
This program focuses on 3 major aspects of the criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections. Its interdisciplinary approach teaches students not only about the causes and preventions of crime, but also ways to rehabilitate offenders. Graduates go on to work in law enforcement, legal studies, corrections, and social services. This program is available on-campus or online.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$3,743
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$44,047
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate56%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Rounding out our top 6 is the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, usually shortened to UTRGV, which is a public university with campuses throughout the Rio Grande Valley. It is an officially designated Hispanic-serving institution.
Its Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice leads to careers in law enforcement, parole and probation, corrections, and youth services. Students learn to think critically about the consequences and causes of crime.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$3,908
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$42,609
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate56%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
One of the best programs in Texas, Texas A&M International University, or TAMIU, is a public institution in Laredo. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science in Criminal Justice. The latter has more of a focus on vocational and technical education, making it a popular choice among Peace Officers (Texas law enforcement officers).
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$6,566
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$51,658
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate73%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Stanislaus State, or Stan Sate, is a public university in California’s Central Valley. It is an officially designated Hispanic-serving institution. Its Criminal Justice program is perfect for people interested in law enforcement, the legal system, forensics, working with at-risk youth, correctional counseling, and private security. Graduates go on to work as law enforcement officers, social workers, probation and parole officers, crime scene investigators, crime analysts, and more.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$11,120
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$59,489
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate67%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Oakland City University, or OCU, is a private university affiliated with the General Baptist Church. Located in Oakland City, Indiana, this program is perfect for people who want to study criminal justice in a Christian setting. Its BS in Criminal Justice offers a strong foundation in studies of law enforcement and criminal justice systems and practice. Students choose between 2 concentrations: general criminal justice or investigative forensics.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$7,454
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$50,722
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate59%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Cal State Bakersfield is a public university in the southern part of California’s Central Valley. Its Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice explores the nature and causes of crime, research and statistical methods to better understand criminal behavior, the role of criminal law, the U.S. criminal justice system, and the philosophy behind criminal punishment. The program has a reputation for academic excellence.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$20,100
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$66,495
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate72%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Elmhurst University is a private university in Elmhurst, Illinois. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Elmhurst's Major in Criminal Justice is perfect for those who wish to pursue a career in advocacy, teaching, law enforcement, academics, or the law.
Students complete core courses such as theories of criminology, introduction to the criminal justice system, and methods of social research. They also choose courses from electives like juvenile delinquency, gender and crime, social and criminal justice policy, corrections, law and politics, and criminal investigations.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$13,024
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$56,487
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate61%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Saint Xavier University, or SXU, is a private Roman Catholic-affiliated university in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1846. Students who pursue a B.A. in Criminal Justice at Saint Xavier explore the main branches of the criminal justice system and develop insight into the moral, philosophical, historical, and scientific underpinnings of criminal justice topics.
Students gain hands-on experience through local internships and take a trip to Washington D.C. Graduates typically go on to work in corrections, probation, law enforcement, law, and victims' services.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,436
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$51,833
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Governors State University (GSU or GovState) is a public university in University Park, Illinois, just outside Chicago. It offers a highly respected Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Students learn about the causes of crime through several theoretical approaches, as well as the intersection of crime with issues like race, class, and gender. Students may also choose to pursue a concentration in restorative justice. Graduates of GSU’s criminal justice program are well prepared for careers in law enforcement, corrections, security, or advocacy.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$15,880
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$64,015
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate61%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Concordia is a private university in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is affiliated with the Lutheran church. Its Criminal Justice BA program is perfect both for fresh undergraduate students and people with working experience in criminal justice. The program emphasizes current research trends, ethics, professionalism, creative decision-making, and leadership development.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$9,946
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$49,000
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate84%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Florida State, or FSU, is a public research university in Tallahassee, Florida. Through its renowned College of Criminology & Criminal Justice, it offers a high-value Criminology and Criminal Justice major for undergraduate students. The program is very broad, meaning students get acquainted with all facets of the criminal justice system in the United States. It also offers a Cyber Criminology major for students who prefer to specialize. The major prepares students to fight cybercrime, making them highly employable in the growing cybersecurity sector.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$11,178
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$56,016
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate72%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
California State University, Sacramento (which also goes by CSUS, Sacramento State, or Sac State) is a public university in California’s capital city. Its BS in Criminal Justice gives students a sweeping overview of crime, crime control, the justice process, and criminal justice institutions. It is one of the most popular programs in Northern California; as a result, this major is “impacted,” meaning students need to apply to it separately after securing a place at Sacramento State.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$13,298
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$57,898
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
California State University, East Bay (Cal State East Bay or CSU East Bay) is a public university in Hayward, California, in the Bay Area. The university also has centers in Oakland and Concord. Its B.S. in Criminal Justice program delves into practice, criminological theory, crime prevention, forensic science and investigation, corrections, equity and diversity, and the impact of victimization. Seniors can take advantage of internship opportunities throughout the Bay Area.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,003
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$49,198
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate80%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
California State University Fullerton (CSUF or Cal State Fullerton) is a public research university in the Los Angeles area. It offers a Bachelor of Artis in Criminal Justice for students interested in the causes, consequences, and control of crime. This program is a good fit for both traditional undergraduate students and working professionals who want to advance their careers. While it is interdisciplinary in nature, this program also allows students to dive deep into specific facets of criminal justice.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$7,089
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$43,362
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate57%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The University of West Florida (West Florida or UWF) is a public university in Pensacola, in the state’s panhandle. It sits on a large, beautiful campus that is home to many historic buildings. Its B.A. in Criminal Justice prepares students to serve their communities by aiding crime victims, counseling offenders, and working with parolees. The program features small class sizes, and gives students the opportunity to conduct research and complete internships. This program is available both on campus and online.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$20,175
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$62,974
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Caldwell University is a private university in New Jersey located just 20 miles from Manhattan. Founded by the Sisters of St. Dominic, it is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. It offers a B.A. in Criminal Justice that features internships and opportunities for independent study. Examples of course offerings include cybercrime, domestic and international terrorism, victimology, and juvenile justice.
Many people with a bachelor’s in criminal justice struggle to find a well-paying job after graduation. In fact, according to research by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, criminal justice degree holders have the highest rate of underemployment among all college majors.
Underemployment is when you have a job, but not one you need your college degree for – think baristas with a bachelor's in fine arts.
This is because many jobs in corrections and law enforcement do not require a bachelor’s degree. Other, more lucrative jobs in criminal justice (like forensic technician or financial examiner) are often very technical and require something other than a generic “criminal justice” degree.
Some jobs in criminal justice lie at the intersection of several disciplines, like IT (cybersecurity specialists), social work (probation officers), or finance (white-collar crime investigators). Therefore, depending on what kind of job you want, it could be a smart move to pursue a double major.
The criminal justice bachelor’s degree is a popular option for students who plan to go to law school. That said, you don’t need to major in criminal justice to get into law school; in fact, you can major in just about anything.
You are likely to need a bachelor’s in criminal justice for 3 reasons:
You want to work for a federal law enforcement agency like the FBI;
You’re interested in the more technical side of law and justice, like forensics or financial crime;
You want to eventually become a researcher or academic after getting a PhD.
Before committing to a bachelor’s in criminal justice, ensure you have a specific job in mind for after you graduate. Try networking or reaching out to people in your community who have that career to find out what kind of education and experience you need.
Perhaps surprisingly, online criminal justice programs perform just as well (or just as “meh”) as traditional colleges.
On average, graduates of online criminal justice programs earn 5% more than graduates of on-campus programs (online programs are also about 1% cheaper).
For example, you do not technically need a special license to become a paralegal or a forensic technician, although such certification is fairly common, and some employers may prefer licensed candidates.
Investigate job openings in your area before paying to take a licensing course. Certifications can open doors to better-paying jobs by helping you improve your skills, but be sure you have a clear goal in mind when considering licensure or certification.
Notably, if you want to become a private detective, most jurisdictions will require you to obtain a Private Investigator License. Practicing as a detective without the proper license could have legal consequences, so be sure to read up on local laws.
How much can you make with a criminal justice degree?
On average, someone with a bachelor’s in criminal justice earns $45,092 per year just 4 years after graduating (including criminal justice grads who don’t work in their field). Getting a master’s degree will only provide an average salary increase of 19%.
Below, we indicate the average salary for people with a criminal justice degree 4 years after leaving college at different levels of education.
Data is sourced from IPEDS.
Associate
Bachelor
Master
$36,835
$45,092
$53,479
www.degreechoices.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Propel your career from anywhere.
Take our quiz to find the online degree that’s best for you. Compare hundreds of schools and apply to your dream college today.
Click on a degree card to reveal more information.
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