by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminal Justice And Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a criminal justice and corrections degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send criminal justice and corrections graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Marian University Wisconsin, our #1 for criminal justice and corrections graduate salaries in the United States. Located in the city of Fond Du Lac, Marian University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Marian University Wisconsin make a median of around $73,451 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at San Jose State University earned it the #2 place for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of San Jose State University earn a median of about $71,738 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in criminal justice and corrections will find them at Charter Oak State College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Charter Oak State College typically earn about $68,956 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Siena Heights University earned it the #4 place for criminal justice and corrections. Siena Heights University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,828.
Strong graduate earnings at Akron Institute Of Herzing University earned it the #5 place for criminal justice and corrections. Akron Institute Of Herzing University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Akron. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Akron Institute Of Herzing University earn a median of about $63,953 a year early in their careers.
Herzing University Atlanta ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Herzing University Atlanta is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Herzing University Atlanta make a median of around $63,953 per year.
Herzing University Birmingham placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Herzing University Birmingham is a private not-for-profit institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Herzing University Birmingham earn a median of about $63,953 a year early in their careers.
Herzing University Madison placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Herzing University Madison is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Herzing University Madison typically earn about $63,953 annually.
Herzing University Minneapolis earned the #9 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of St. Louis Park, Herzing University Minneapolis is a private not-for-profit institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Herzing University Minneapolis earn a median of about $63,953 a year early in their careers.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #10 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of about $65,739 a year early in their careers.
Anna Maria College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Located in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Anna Maria College typically earn about $65,669 annually.
Immaculata University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Immaculata University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Immaculata. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Immaculata University earn a median of about $65,590 a year early in their careers.
Lake Erie College placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the suburb of Painesville, Lake Erie College is a private not-for-profit institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Lake Erie College earn a median of about $65,364 a year early in their careers.
Colorado State University Global Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Colorado State University Global Campus is a public school located in the city of Denver. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Colorado State University Global Campus earn a median of about $66,885 a year early in their careers.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #15 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota make a median of around $61,677 per year.
Excelsior College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Set in the city of Albany, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Excelsior College typically earn about $63,137 annually.
American Public University System landed the #17 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from American Public University System typically earn about $69,844 annually.
Reinhardt University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Located in the rural area of Waleska, Reinhardt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Reinhardt University earn a median of about $62,019 a year early in their careers.
California State University Bakersfield placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a public institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $61,462 a year early in their careers.
National University came in at #20 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,213.
Southwestern College came in at #21 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Southwestern College typically earn about $61,894 annually.
Gwynedd Mercy College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Gwynedd Mercy College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,212.
Northeastern University earned the #23 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Northeastern University typically earn about $75,101 annually.
Columbia Southern University earned the #24 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Columbia Southern University typically earn about $61,453 annually.
University Of Maryland University College landed the #25 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. University Of Maryland University College is a public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College typically earn about $68,673 annually.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid criminal justice and corrections ranking:
These institutions also earned high marks for criminal justice and corrections graduate pay:
A few more high-earning criminal justice and corrections schools worth a look:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #96 | Lake Superior State University | Sault Ste Marie, MI | $60,606 | Full Report |
| #97 | Western Illinois University | Macomb, IL | $65,120 | Full Report |
| #98 | Salem State University | Salem, MA | $59,192 | Full Report |
| #99 | Grantham University | LIttle Rock, AR | $50,520 | Full Report |
| #100 | North Park University | Chicago, IL | $60,960 | Full Report |
Explore the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries criminal justice and corrections graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.