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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 15 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.
Hawkeye Community College earned the #1 spot for highest-paid criminal justice and corrections graduates in Iowa. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a public institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of about $54,434 a year early in their careers.
University Of Dubuque produces some of the highest-paid graduates in criminal justice and corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from University Of Dubuque make a median of around $60,240 per year.
Grand View University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in criminal justice and corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View 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 $58,107.
A rank of #4 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College typically earn about $51,330 annually.
Simpson College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in criminal justice and corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Indianola, Simpson College 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 $55,995.
Loras College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Loras College typically earn about $47,413 annually.
Waldorf College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Waldorf College is a private for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Waldorf College make a median of around $53,890 per year.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #8 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Iowa Central Community College is a public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Iowa Central Community College make a median of around $51,828 per year.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #9 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College typically earn about $44,408 annually.
Saint Ambrose University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose 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 $65,739.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #11 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,748.
Iowa State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a public institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of about $41,624 a year early in their careers.
Buena Vista University came in at #13 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista 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 $46,219.
Mount Mercy University earned the #14 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Mount Mercy University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Mount Mercy University make a median of around $50,062 per year.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington came in at #15 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a public school located in the town of West Burlington. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,584.
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 · 15 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.