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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find where criminal justice and corrections graduates earn the most.
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 Herzing University Atlanta, our #1 for criminal justice and corrections graduate salaries in the Southeast Region. Herzing University Atlanta is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Herzing University Atlanta make a median of around $63,953 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in criminal justice and corrections will find them at Herzing University Birmingham, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Herzing University Birmingham 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 $63,953.
Strong graduate earnings at Reinhardt University earned it the #3 place for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the rural area of Waleska, Reinhardt University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Reinhardt University typically earn about $62,019 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Columbia Southern University earned it the #4 place for criminal justice and corrections. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Columbia Southern University typically earn about $61,738 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Herzing University Kenner earned it the #5 place for criminal justice and corrections. Located in the city of Metairie, Herzing University Kenner is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Herzing University Kenner typically earn about $59,370 annually.
Thomas University earned the #6 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Thomas University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Thomas University typically earn about $62,767 annually.
Bethel University Tennessee ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee typically earn about $58,019 annually.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College typically earn about $55,496 annually.
American Public University System placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of American Public University System earn a median of about $65,143 a year early in their careers.
West Liberty University earned the #10 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a public institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from West Liberty University make a median of around $54,642 per year.
Columbia College South Carolina ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College South Carolina 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 $60,613.
Palm Beach State College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Palm Beach State College typically earn about $79,900 annually.
George Mason University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from George Mason University typically earn about $70,311 annually.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,591.
Saint Thomas University landed the #15 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Saint Thomas University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami Gardens. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,936.
Regent University placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Regent University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Regent University earn a median of about $61,409 a year early in their careers.
Shenandoah University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a private not-for-profit institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of about $58,666 a year early in their careers.
Faulkner University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the city of Montgomery, Faulkner University is a private not-for-profit institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Faulkner University earn a median of about $46,550 a year early in their careers.
Liberty University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Liberty University earn a median of about $57,209 a year early in their careers.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earned the #20 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,364.
Nashville State Community College earned the #21 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Nashville State Community College is a public school located in the city of Nashville. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,869.
Saint Leo University earned the #22 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Saint Leo University typically earn about $55,165 annually.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #23 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of about $48,693 a year early in their careers.
Cumberland University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Cumberland University make a median of around $57,377 per year.
Pierpont Community And Technical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Located in the town of Fairmont, Pierpont Community And Technical College is a public institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Pierpont Community And Technical College earn a median of about $48,260 a year early in their careers.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid criminal justice and corrections ranking:
A few more high-earning criminal justice and corrections schools worth a look:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Strayer University Virginia | Arlington, VA | $54,684 | Full Report |
| #52 | Strayer University Florida | Tampa, FL | $54,492 | Full Report |
| #53 | Manatee Technical College | Bradenton, FL | $58,216 | Full Report |
| #54 | Anderson University Sc | Anderson, SC | $49,990 | Full Report |
| #55 | Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | $59,055 | Full Report |
| #56 | Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory, NC | $51,026 | Full Report |
| #57 | Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate, TN | $47,000 | Full Report |
| #58 | Fort Myers Technical College | Fort Myers, FL | $53,003 | Full Report |
| #59 | Gateway Community And Technical College | Florence, KY | $44,156 | Full Report |
| #60 | Florida National University Main Campus | Hialeah, FL | $46,106 | Full Report |
| #61 | University Of Louisville | Louisville, KY | $58,354 | Full Report |
| #62 | Hinds Community College | Raymond, MS | $43,939 | Full Report |
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.