Criminal Justice and Corrections: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 724 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$162,012 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
27.6 yrsModeled economic break-even
−64%Modeled 10-year ROI
$54,228Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$54,228Median reported earnings · year 4
$52,514Average reported earnings · year 5
$26,000Median federal debt
33thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
724Reporting programs
708With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $56,070
- Federal debt
- $14,063
- Reporting programs
- 187
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $46,940
- Federal debt
- $14,250
- Reporting programs
- 480
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $54,228
- Federal debt
- $26,000
- Reporting programs
- 724
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $104,592
- Federal debt
- $20,182
- Reporting programs
- 3
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $64,860
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 119
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $96,102
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 3
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $75,547
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 3
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $61,271
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 5
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$49,003National median$54,22875th percentile$58,792
708 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Calumet College of Saint Joseph$106,4652University of New Hampshire-Main Campus$81,7683University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online$81,7684National University$81,2995Fisher College$80,1366George Washington University$80,0707Saint Mary's University of Minnesota$79,4648Quinnipiac University$79,0989Trinity Christian College$78,16510Northeastern University$77,477Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1111 · 17 crosswalk linksFirst-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesSOC 33-1012 · 9 crosswalk linksDetectives and Criminal InvestigatorsSOC 33-3021 · 7 crosswalk linksPolice and Sheriff’s Patrol OfficersSOC 33-3051 · 7 crosswalk linksPrivate Detectives and InvestigatorsSOC 33-9021 · 5 crosswalk linksCorrectional Officers and JailersSOC 33-3012 · 4 crosswalk linksFirst-Line Supervisors of Correctional OfficersSOC 33-1011 · 4 crosswalk linksManagers, All OtherSOC 11-9199 · 3 crosswalk linksEmergency Management DirectorsSOC 11-9161 · 2 crosswalk linksFirst-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All OtherSOC 33-1099 · 2 crosswalk linksFirst-Line Supervisors of Security WorkersSOC 33-1091 · 2 crosswalk linksLife, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All OtherSOC 19-4099 · 2 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calumet College of Saint JosephBachelor's Degree | Whiting, IN | $106,465 | $23,856 | +128% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Durham, NH | $81,768 | Not available | +34% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies OnlineBachelor's Degree | Manchester, NH | $81,768 | Not available | +65% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | National UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Diego, CA | $81,299 | $28,014 | +34% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | Fisher CollegeBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $80,136 | $27,000 | +23% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | George Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $80,070 | $20,500 | +7% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaBachelor's Degree | Winona, MN | $79,464 | $28,708 | +52% | Positive payoff |
| 8 | Quinnipiac UniversityBachelor's Degree | Hamden, CT | $79,098 | $27,000 | -1% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | Trinity Christian CollegeBachelor's Degree | Palos Heights, IL | $78,165 | Not available | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 10 | Northeastern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $77,477 | $22,809 | +7% | Positive payoff |
| 11 | Anna Maria CollegeBachelor's Degree | Paxton, MA | $76,013 | $27,000 | +6% | Positive payoff |
| 12 | Excelsior UniversityBachelor's Degree | Albany, NY | $75,828 | $14,875 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 13 | Nichols CollegeBachelor's Degree | Dudley, MA | $75,321 | $27,000 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | Central Christian College of KansasBachelor's Degree | McPherson, KS | $74,997 | $36,076 | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 15 | Seattle UniversityBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $74,018 | $21,247 | -9% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | Concordia University-Saint PaulBachelor's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $73,060 | $28,076 | +11% | Positive payoff |
| 17 | Marymount UniversityBachelor's Degree | Arlington, VA | $73,058 | $25,000 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Siena Heights UniversityBachelor's Degree | Adrian, MI | $72,791 | $22,250 | +12% | Positive payoff |
| 19 | Nova Southeastern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $71,972 | Not available | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | Mercer UniversityBachelor's Degree | Macon, GA | $71,602 | $46,775 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | Marian UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fond Du Lac, WI | $70,934 | Not available | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | Roger Williams UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bristol, RI | $70,747 | $26,000 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | Columbia Southern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Orange Beach, AL | $70,354 | $30,204 | +6% | Positive payoff |
| 24 | Franklin Pierce UniversityBachelor's Degree | Rindge, NH | $70,125 | $27,000 | -13% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | Norwich UniversityBachelor's Degree | Northfield, VT | $70,075 | $26,000 | -7% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Utica UniversityBachelor's Degree | Utica, NY | $69,898 | $26,000 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | University of Maryland Global CampusBachelor's Degree | Adelphi, MD | $69,848 | $25,062 | -7% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Merrimack CollegeBachelor's Degree | North Andover, MA | $69,615 | $27,000 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | Herzing University-BirminghamBachelor's Degree | Birmingham, AL | $69,601 | $28,399 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Herzing University-AtlantaBachelor's Degree | Atlanta, GA | $69,601 | $28,399 | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | Herzing University-MinneapolisBachelor's Degree | St. Louis Park, MN | $69,601 | $28,399 | -0% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Herzing University-AkronBachelor's Degree | Akron, OH | $69,601 | $28,399 | -4% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Herzing University-MadisonBachelor's Degree | Madison, WI | $69,601 | $28,399 | -9% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | Herzing University-OrlandoBachelor's Degree | Winter Park, FL | $69,601 | $28,399 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Herzing University-New OrleansBachelor's Degree | Metairie, LA | $69,601 | $28,399 | -7% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | Herzing University-KenoshaBachelor's Degree | Kenosha, WI | $69,601 | $28,399 | -10% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Herzing University-BrookfieldBachelor's Degree | Brookfield, WI | $69,601 | $28,399 | -6% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | American Public University SystemBachelor's Degree | Charles Town, WV | $69,546 | $19,000 | +12% | Positive payoff |
| 39 | George Mason UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fairfax, VA | $69,511 | $20,761 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | Lynn UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boca Raton, FL | $68,824 | $19,500 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | Utah Valley UniversityBachelor's Degree | Orem, UT | $68,296 | $18,016 | +13% | Positive payoff |
| 42 | Reinhardt UniversityBachelor's Degree | Waleska, GA | $67,847 | $27,475 | -18% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | Monmouth UniversityBachelor's Degree | West Long Branch, NJ | $67,842 | $27,000 | -25% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Salve Regina UniversityBachelor's Degree | Newport, RI | $67,622 | $27,000 | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Minot State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Minot, ND | $67,554 | $26,343 | -2% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | Westfield State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Westfield, MA | $67,363 | $24,422 | -9% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Bowie State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bowie, MD | $67,303 | $29,750 | -13% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | Centenary UniversityBachelor's Degree | Hackettstown, NJ | $67,181 | $20,500 | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Saint Edward's UniversityBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $66,986 | $24,949 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | American UniversityBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $66,970 | $23,250 | -37% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | Sonoma State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Rohnert Park, CA | $66,892 | $20,000 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Felician UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lodi, NJ | $66,879 | $27,000 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | Saint Cloud State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saint Cloud, MN | $66,850 | $21,500 | -7% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Western Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Danbury, CT | $66,510 | $24,875 | -14% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | University of Massachusetts-LowellBachelor's Degree | Lowell, MA | $66,258 | $26,000 | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Tiffin UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tiffin, OH | $66,059 | $30,758 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | Marist UniversityBachelor's Degree | Poughkeepsie, NY | $65,881 | $26,000 | -40% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | High Point UniversityBachelor's Degree | High Point, NC | $65,607 | Not available | -38% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | California Baptist UniversityBachelor's Degree | Riverside, CA | $65,603 | $26,372 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | Worcester State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Worcester, MA | $65,588 | $24,953 | -12% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | Citadel Military College of South CarolinaBachelor's Degree | Charleston, SC | $65,574 | $24,966 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | North Park UniversityBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $65,032 | Not available | -19% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | California State University, East BayBachelor's Degree | Hayward, CA | $64,835 | $15,500 | -9% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | Southwest Minnesota State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Marshall, MN | $64,654 | $27,000 | -19% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | Minnesota State University-MankatoBachelor's Degree | Mankato, MN | $64,585 | $25,000 | -24% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | Metropolitan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $64,481 | $29,426 | -21% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | Curry CollegeBachelor's Degree | Milton, MA | $64,406 | $25,000 | -35% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | University of Northwestern-St PaulBachelor's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $64,339 | Not available | -34% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | Bridgewater State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bridgewater, MA | $64,178 | $26,696 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | DeSales UniversityBachelor's Degree | Center Valley, PA | $64,020 | $27,000 | -38% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | St. John's University-New YorkBachelor's Degree | Queens, NY | $63,978 | $26,719 | -37% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | San Francisco State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Francisco, CA | $63,764 | $13,518 | -18% | Negative payoff |
| 73 | Pace UniversityBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $63,514 | $24,098 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 74 | University of ScrantonBachelor's Degree | Scranton, PA | $63,483 | $27,000 | -40% | Negative payoff |
| 75 | California Lutheran UniversityBachelor's Degree | Thousand Oaks, CA | $63,433 | $20,000 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 76 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $63,311 | $15,269 | -23% | Negative payoff |
| 77 | University of Washington-Tacoma CampusBachelor's Degree | Tacoma, WA | $63,311 | $15,269 | -17% | Negative payoff |
| 78 | Shenandoah UniversityBachelor's Degree | Winchester, VA | $63,290 | $25,810 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | Southwestern CollegeBachelor's Degree | Winfield, KS | $63,138 | Not available | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | Western Illinois UniversityBachelor's Degree | Macomb, IL | $63,125 | $26,000 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 81 | Roosevelt UniversityBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $63,081 | $24,625 | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 82 | Benedictine UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lisle, IL | $63,033 | $25,979 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 83 | University of BaltimoreBachelor's Degree | Baltimore, MD | $63,032 | $25,500 | -23% | Negative payoff |
| 84 | Bethel UniversityBachelor's Degree | McKenzie, TN | $62,967 | $31,250 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 85 | University of Sioux FallsBachelor's Degree | Sioux Falls, SD | $62,792 | $26,950 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | Washington State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Pullman, WA | $62,747 | $21,577 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 87 | Michigan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | East Lansing, MI | $62,715 | $26,000 | -32% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | Lewis UniversityBachelor's Degree | Romeoville, IL | $62,640 | $20,000 | -29% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | Oakland City UniversityBachelor's Degree | Oakland City, IN | $62,595 | $24,657 | -27% | Negative payoff |
| 90 | California State University, SacramentoBachelor's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $62,583 | $13,745 | -19% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | Illinois State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Normal, IL | $62,506 | $22,531 | -32% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | Sullivan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Louisville, KY | $62,472 | Not available | -38% | Negative payoff |
| 93 | Fitchburg State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fitchburg, MA | $62,396 | $26,000 | -27% | Negative payoff |
| 94 | Delaware Valley UniversityBachelor's Degree | Doylestown, PA | $62,317 | $25,455 | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 95 | University of IndianapolisBachelor's Degree | Indianapolis, IN | $62,307 | $26,324 | -35% | Negative payoff |
| 96 | University of Massachusetts-BostonBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $62,222 | $27,000 | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 97 | Winona State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Winona, MN | $62,220 | $26,012 | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 98 | Weber State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ogden, UT | $62,191 | $19,828 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 99 | Wingate UniversityBachelor's Degree | Wingate, NC | $62,075 | $27,000 | -35% | Negative payoff |
| 100 | Saint Ambrose UniversityBachelor's Degree | Davenport, IA | $61,988 | Not available | -39% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.