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 schools below stand out for the salaries their criminal justice and corrections graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 16 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 Houston Downtown, our #1 for criminal justice and corrections graduate salaries in the Southwest Region. University Of Houston Downtown is a public school located in the city of Houston. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,757.
Strong graduate earnings at Texas Southern University earned it the #2 place for criminal justice and corrections. Texas Southern University is a public school located in the city of Houston. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,749.
Students chasing top earnings in criminal justice and corrections will find them at Sam Houston State University, which ranked #3. Sam Houston State University is a public school located in the town of Huntsville. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Sam Houston State University make a median of around $91,329 per year.
Arizona State University Skysong produces some of the highest-paid graduates in criminal justice and corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,190.
A rank of #5 makes Tarleton State University one of the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,205.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,004.
Lamar University landed the #7 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a public institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Lamar University earn a median of about $58,203 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Texas landed the #8 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,876.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus typically earn about $63,968 annually.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #10 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of about $58,188 a year early in their careers.
Grand Canyon University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of about $52,250 a year early in their careers.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #12 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Texas State University San Marcos make a median of around $53,264 per year.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #13 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio typically earn about $49,241 annually.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #14 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American typically earn about $60,818 annually.
Texas A And M International University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a public institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Texas A And M International University make a median of around $46,596 per year.
Northeastern State University came in at #16 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Northeastern State University is a public school located in the town of Tahlequah. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Northeastern State University typically earn about $35,858 annually.
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 · 16 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.