by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminal Justice And Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their criminal justice and corrections graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose criminal justice and corrections graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is University Of San Diego, our #1 for criminal justice and corrections graduate salaries in the United States. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from University Of San Diego typically earn about $143,943 annually.
Curry College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Curry College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milton. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Curry College make a median of around $125,020 per year.
University Of Chicago came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from University Of Chicago make a median of around $101,305 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Lewis University one of the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Lewis University make a median of around $87,368 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in criminal justice and corrections will find them at Concordia University Saint Paul, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul 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 $90,584.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #6 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,553.
Salve Regina University came in at #7 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Salve Regina University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Newport. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $100,622.
Saint Cloud State University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Saint Cloud State University is a public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,657.
Molloy College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Molloy College make a median of around $83,126 per year.
Columbus State University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Columbus State University typically earn about $79,972 annually.
Michigan State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Michigan State University typically earn about $86,157 annually.
College Of Saint Elizabeth landed the #12 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Morristown, College Of Saint Elizabeth is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from College Of Saint Elizabeth make a median of around $76,861 per year.
Excelsior College earned the #13 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Albany. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Excelsior College earn a median of about $76,747 a year early in their careers.
University Of Louisville ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. University Of Louisville is a public school located in the city of Louisville. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from University Of Louisville make a median of around $68,273 per year.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #15 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a public school located in the city of Houston. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from University Of Houston Downtown make a median of around $92,757 per year.
American Public University System earned the #16 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set 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 $78,388 annually.
Texas Southern University came in at #17 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Texas Southern University is a public school located in the city of Houston. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Texas Southern University make a median of around $75,749 per year.
Long Island University C W Post Campus landed the #18 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,061.
Anderson University Sc earned the #19 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Anderson University Sc make a median of around $75,008 per year.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey make a median of around $74,034 per year.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #21 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,892.
American University came in at #22 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Washington, American 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 $89,792.
Bellevue University came in at #23 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Bellevue University typically earn about $77,944 annually.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,730.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #25 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a public school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,638.
These schools also send criminal justice and corrections graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Explore the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their criminal justice and corrections graduates, 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.