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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find where criminal justice and corrections graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose criminal justice and corrections graduates go on to earn the most.
West Liberty University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid criminal justice and corrections graduates in West Virginia. West Liberty University is a public school located in the rural area of West Liberty. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from West Liberty University make a median of around $54,642 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in criminal justice and corrections will find them at American Public University System, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from American Public University System make a median of around $67,734 per year.
Pierpont Community And Technical College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in criminal justice and corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Pierpont Community And Technical College is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Pierpont Community And Technical College typically earn about $48,260 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Glenville State College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice and corrections. Located in the rural area of Glenville, Glenville State College is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,076.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in criminal justice and corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Potomac State College Of West Virginia University typically earn about $45,912 annually.
Strayer University West Virginia came in at #6 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Strayer University West Virginia is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Scott Depot. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,929.
Fairmont State University earned the #7 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a public institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of about $50,877 a year early in their careers.
Blue Ridge Community And Technical College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a public school located in the rural area of Martinsburg. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Blue Ridge Community And Technical College earn a median of about $36,706 a year early in their careers.
West Virginia State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Located in the suburb of Institute, West Virginia State University is a public institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from West Virginia State University make a median of around $37,109 per year.
Marshall University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Marshall University is a public school located in the city of Huntington. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Marshall University typically earn about $46,240 annually.
Salem International University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Salem International University is a private for-profit school located in the rural area of Salem. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Salem International University earn a median of about $43,029 a year early in their careers.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg landed the #12 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Located in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $30,698.
West Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. West Virginia Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buckhannon. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from West Virginia Wesleyan College typically earn about $31,400 annually.
Bluefield State College landed the #14 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Located in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield State College is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $30,506.
This list is compiled 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 · 14 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.