Bachelor’s Degrees in Criminal Justice & Corrections
Education Levels of Criminal Justice Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 48,312 people earned their bachelor's degree in criminal justice. This earns it the #7 spot on the list of the most popular bachelor's degree programs in the nation.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in criminal justice at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 48,312 |
| Associate Degree | 24,183 |
| Basic Certificate | 17,357 |
| Master’s Degree | 6,830 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 5,360 |
| Graduate Certificate | 984 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 276 |
Earnings of Criminal Justice Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in criminal justice is $37,901. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $34,394 to a high of $42,342.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in criminal justice is $20,504. The school you go to and how long it takes you to graduate, among other things, can cause this number to vary. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $29,159 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $13,788.
Those students who are paying back their debt on a 10-year repayment plan have a median monthly payment of $244.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in criminal justice. About 58.5% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 20,057 |
| Women | 28,255 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of criminal justice bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 1,348 |
| Black or African American | 8,067 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 13,317 |
| White | 20,936 |
| International Students | 374 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 4,270 |
Most Popular Criminal Justice Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 938 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
The most popular school in the United States for criminal justice students seekinga bachelor's degree is John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Each year, around 15,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,930 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,090 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,619 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from John Jay. Around 84% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 58% were women. Data shows that John Jay graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $37,901.
Sam Houston State University comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in criminal justice. Roughly 21,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,856 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $5,765 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 899 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from SHSU. Of these students, 67% were women and 58% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that SHSU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $37,901.
University of Phoenix - Arizona is the 3rd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Each year, around 89,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,552 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,215 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 805 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from UOPX - Arizona. Around 48% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 58% were women. University of Phoenix - Arizona criminal justice graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $37,901.
Southern New Hampshire University is the 4th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Each year, around 134,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,467 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 679 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from SNHU. Around 33% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 56% were women. Southern New Hampshire University criminal justice graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $37,901.
Liberty University comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in criminal justice. Roughly 93,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,740 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 614 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Liberty University. Of these students, 42% were women and 25% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Liberty University graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $37,901.
Florida International University comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in criminal justice. Each year, around 58,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,721 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,119 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 614 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from FIU. About 62% of this group were women, and 90% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in criminal justice at Florida International University make a median salary of 37,901.
American Public University System is the 7th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Each year, around 50,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,400 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,650 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 608 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from American Military University. About 21% of this group were women, and 37% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in criminal justice at American Public University System make a median salary of 37,901.
Florida State University comes in at #8 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in criminal justice. Each year, around 43,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,640 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,684 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 565 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Florida State. Of these students, 69% were women and 43% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Florida State University criminal justice graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $37,901.
University of Central Florida comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in criminal justice. Each year, around 71,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,478 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,916 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 524 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from UCF. Of these students, 61% were women and 56% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in criminal justice at University of Central Florida make a median salary of 37,901.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Roughly 32,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,637 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,948 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 520 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from UT Rio Grande Valley. Of these students, 55% were women and 96% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in criminal justice at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley make a median salary of 37,901.
California State University - Sacramento comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in criminal justice. Each year, around 32,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 489 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Sac State. About 59% of this group were women, and 78% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. California State University - Sacramento criminal justice graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $37,901.
The University of Arizona Global Campus is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Roughly 31,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,240 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,645 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 472 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from UAGC. About 46% of this group were women, and 47% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UAGC graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $37,901.
Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Each year, around 0 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $19,672 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $24,956 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 471 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Penn State University Park. About 62% of this group were women, and 33% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in criminal justice at Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus make a median salary of 37,901.
San Diego State University comes in at #16 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in criminal justice. Roughly 36,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 391 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from SDSU. About 59% of this group were women, and 80% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in criminal justice at San Diego State University make a median salary of 37,901.
The 17th most popular school in the country for criminal justice majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Arizona State University - Tempe. Roughly 74,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,376 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 373 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from ASU - Tempe. Around 60% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 64% were women. Arizona State University - Tempe criminal justice graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $37,901.
University of Maryland Global Campus comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in criminal justice. Roughly 58,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,632 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,432 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 367 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from UMGC. Of these students, 48% were women and 52% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of Maryland Global Campus criminal justice graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $37,901.
California State University - Fullerton is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Roughly 42,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 365 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Cal State Fullerton. About 58% of this group were women, and 85% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. California State University - Fullerton criminal justice graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $37,901.
George Mason University is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Roughly 38,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,095 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,726 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 363 people received their bachelor's degree in criminal justice from GMU. Around 55% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 59% were women. Data shows that GMU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $37,901.
Explore Major by State
Alabama
Arkansas
Connecticut
Florida
Idaho
Iowa
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Nebraska
New Jersey
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Vermont
West Virginia
Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to criminal justice that offer bachelor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| 3,362 | |
| Homeland Security | 2,851 |
| Fire Protection | 1,502 |
| Other Homeland Security | 665 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.