UnisHub University Compass

Criminal Justice, Other: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Designed for students seeking specialized training in criminal justice beyond standard program offerings, this field encompasses diverse, focused studies in the justice system. It supports advanced exploration of correctional practices, legal frameworks, and public safety strategies tailored to emerging or niche areas within the broader discipline.

  • Forensic Investigation Techniques: Methods and procedures used to collect, analyze, and interpret physical evidence in criminal cases.
  • Community Corrections and Reentry Programs: Strategies for supervising offenders outside traditional incarceration, emphasizing rehabilitation and successful societal reintegration.
  • Criminal Law and Procedure: In-depth study of statutory law, constitutional protections, and the legal processes governing criminal cases.
  • Crime Prevention and Community Policing: Approaches to reduce criminal activity through proactive engagement, data-driven strategies, and collaborative public safety initiatives.
  • Correctional Facility Management: Operational and administrative principles governing the oversight of jails, prisons, and other correctional institutions.
  • Justice Policy and Ethics: Examination of moral standards, accountability, and the development of equitable policies within law enforcement and correctional systems.
  • Victim Services and Advocacy: Support frameworks and interventions designed to assist individuals affected by crime, including trauma-informed care and legal advocacy.

Criminal Justice, Other Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

4,327
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
98
Universities & Colleges
2
Career Pathways

Criminal Justice, Other Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Criminal Justice, Other degrees, including Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary and Correctional Officers and Jailers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 378,940 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1111 $71,470 $45,640 - $143,130 13,560 N/A
Correctional Officers and Jailers 33-3012 $57,970 $41,750 - $93,000 365,380 $27.87

Criminal Justice, Other Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $47,245 in Kansas to $116,040 in California—a 146% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Wisconsin, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 378,940 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.

Average Salary Range:

Top Universities for Criminal Justice, Other by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 98 institutions offering Criminal Justice, Other programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Criminal Justice, Other is found at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (2,029 graduates), University of Phoenix (UOPX), Arizona (486 graduates), Sam Houston State University (SHSU) (116 graduates), CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (112 graduates), and University of Alabama (UAB), Birmingham (99 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 4,327 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name Award Levels Graduates Location Control Website
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
2,029 Manchester, New Hampshire Private snhu.edu
University of Phoenix (UOPX)
Associate's
486 Phoenix, Arizona Private phoenix.edu
Sam Houston State University (SHSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
116 Huntsville, Texas Public shsu.edu
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Bachelor's
Master's
112 New York, New York Public jjay.cuny.edu
University of Alabama (UAB)
Bachelor's
Master's
99 Birmingham, Alabama Public uab.edu
Cameron University
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
88 Lawton, Oklahoma Public cameron.edu
New Jersey City University (NJCU)
Bachelor's
74 Jersey City, New Jersey Public njcu.edu
East Los Angeles College (ELAC)
Other Award
60 Monterey Park, California Public elac.edu
Community College of Philadelphia (CCP)
Associate's
57 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Public ccp.edu
Oakland University (OU)
Bachelor's
56 Rochester Hills, Michigan Public oakland.edu
Utica University
Bachelor's
54 Utica, New York Private utica.edu
Suffolk University
Bachelor's
40 Boston, Massachusetts Private suffolk.edu
Northeastern University (NU)
Bachelor's
39 Boston, Massachusetts Private northeastern.edu
Hillsborough Community College (HCC)
Residency
37 Tampa, Florida Public hccfl.edu
University of Oklahoma (OU)
Master's
36 Norman, Oklahoma Public ou.edu
Keene State College (KSC)
Bachelor's
33 Keene, New Hampshire Public keene.edu
Kiamichi Technology Center (KTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
32 McAlester, Oklahoma Public ktc.edu
Fisher College
Bachelor's
Master's
31 Boston, Massachusetts Private fisher.edu
Moreno Valley College (MVC)
Other Award
31 Moreno Valley, California Public mvc.edu
Purdue University Global
Other Award
31 West Lafayette, Indiana Public purdueglobal.edu
Bethune-Cookman University (B‑CU)
Bachelor's
Master's
30 Daytona Beach, Florida Private cookman.edu
Francis Tuttle Technology Center
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
30 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Public francistuttle.edu
Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU)
Other Award
28 Tempe, Arizona Public asu.edu
Sussex County Community College (SCCC)
Associate's
28 Newton, New Jersey Public sussex.edu
Northeast Technology Center
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
27 Pryor, Oklahoma Public netech.edu
Wilmington University (WilmU)
Master's
23 New Castle, Delaware Private wilmu.edu
Chadron State College (CSC)
Bachelor's
23 Chadron, Nebraska Public csc.edu
Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)
Associate's
23 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Public ccac.edu
University of Cincinnati (UC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
22 Cincinnati, Ohio Public uc.edu
Muskingum University
Bachelor's
22 New Concord, Ohio Private muskingum.edu
Anderson University (AU)
Bachelor's
22 Anderson, South Carolina Private andersonuniversity.edu
University of Maine (UMPI)
Associate's
Bachelor's
20 Presque Isle, Maine Public umpi.edu
Itawamba Community College (ICC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
19 Fulton, Mississippi Public iccms.edu
Regis University
Bachelor's
18 Denver, Colorado Private regis.edu
Newberry College
Bachelor's
18 Newberry, South Carolina Private newberry.edu
Boston University (BU)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
17 Boston, Massachusetts Private bu.edu
Savannah State University (SSU)
Bachelor's
16 Savannah, Georgia Public savannahstate.edu
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
16 Perkinston, Mississippi Public mgccc.edu
Keystone College
Bachelor's
15 La Plume, Pennsylvania Private keystone.edu
University of Alaska (UAA)
Bachelor's
14 Anchorage, Alaska Public uaa.alaska.edu
University of Alaska (UAF)
Bachelor's
14 Fairbanks, Alaska Public uaf.edu
University of Michigan
Bachelor's
14 Flint, Michigan Public umflint.edu
Bethany College
Bachelor's
13 Lindsborg, Kansas Private bethanylb.edu
Emporia State University (ESU)
Bachelor's
13 Emporia, Kansas Public emporia.edu
Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC)
Bachelor's
12 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Private wlc.edu
Montana State University
Bachelor's
11 Havre, Montana Public msun.edu
Murray State College (MSC)
Associate's
11 Tishomingo, Oklahoma Public mscok.edu
Rio Salado College
Residency
10 Tempe, Arizona Public rio.maricopa.edu
Buckeye Hills Career Center (BHCC)
Residency
10 Rio Grande, Ohio Public buckeyehills.net
Stillman College (SC)
Bachelor's
9 Tuscaloosa, Alabama Private stillman.edu
American University (AU)
Bachelor's
9 Washington, District of Columbia Private american.edu
Albany State University (ASU)
Bachelor's
9 Albany, Georgia Public asurams.edu
Chesapeake College
Associate's
9 Wye Mills, Maryland Public chesapeake.edu
Hinds Community College
Associate's
9 Raymond, Mississippi Public hindscc.edu
Seattle Pacific University (SPU)
Bachelor's
9 Seattle, Washington Private spu.edu
EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc (EDP)
Associate's
9 San Sebastian, Puerto Rico Private edpuniversity.edu
Florida Institute of Technology
Associate's
Bachelor's
9 Melbourne, Florida Private fit.edu
Black River Technical College (BRTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
8 Pocahontas, Arkansas Public blackrivertech.edu
University of Saint Joseph (USJ)
Bachelor's
8 West Hartford, Connecticut Private usj.edu
Truett McConnell University (TMU)
Bachelor's
8 Cleveland, Georgia Private truett.edu
Lewis University
Master's
8 Romeoville, Illinois Private lewisu.edu
Cumberland University (CU)
Associate's
8 Lebanon, Tennessee Private cumberland.edu
Weber State University (WSU)
Other Award
8 Ogden, Utah Public weber.edu
Arizona Western College (AWC)
Associate's
7 Yuma, Arizona Public azwestern.edu
Adrian College
Bachelor's
7 Adrian, Michigan Private adrian.edu
East Central Community College (ECCC)
Associate's
7 Decatur, Mississippi Public eccc.edu
Luzerne County Community College (LCCC)
Associate's
7 Nanticoke, Pennsylvania Public luzerne.edu
Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR)
Master's
7 Barranquitas, Puerto Rico Private br.inter.edu
Northwestern College (NWC)
Bachelor's
6 Orange City, Iowa Private nwciowa.edu
Coppin State University
Master's
6 Baltimore, Maryland Public coppin.edu
Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR)
Master's
6 San Juan, Puerto Rico Private metro.inter.edu
Rio Hondo College (RHC)
Other Award
5 Whittier, California Public riohondo.edu
University of New Haven (UNH)
Other Award
5 West Haven, Connecticut Private newhaven.edu
Delaware Technical Community College
Associate's
5 Dover, Delaware Public dtcc.edu
Arizona State University
Postbac Cert.
5 Scottsdale, Arizona Public asu.edu
Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC)
Other Award
4 Santa Rosa, California Public santarosa.edu
Kansas Wesleyan University (KWU)
Other Award
4 Salina, Kansas Private kwu.edu
McMurry University (McM)
Bachelor's
4 Abilene, Texas Private mcm.edu
Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR)
Master's
4 Aguadilla, Puerto Rico Private aguadilla.inter.edu
EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc
Associate's
4 San Juan, Puerto Rico Private edpuniversity.edu
Diablo Valley College (DVC)
Other Award
3 Pleasant Hill, California Public dvc.edu
Simpson College
Postbac Cert.
3 Indianola, Iowa Private simpson.edu
Hampton University
Bachelor's
3 Hampton, Virginia Private hamptonu.edu
Virginia State University (VSU)
Master's
3 Petersburg, Virginia Public vsu.edu
Broward College (BC)
Residency
2 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Public broward.edu
Holmes Community College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
2 Goodman, Mississippi Public holmescc.edu
Rowan University
Other Award
2 Glassboro, New Jersey Public rowan.edu
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
Bachelor's
2 Old Westbury, New York Private nyit.edu
Carlow University
Master's
2 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Private carlow.edu
Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)
Other Award
2 Jacksboro, Tennessee Public tcatjacksboro.edu
Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR)
Master's
2 Fajardo, Puerto Rico Private fajardo.inter.edu
Indiana Institute of Technology
Bachelor's
2 Fort Wayne, Indiana Private cps.indianatech.edu
Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC)
Other Award
1 Sylmar, California Public lamission.edu
Bridgewater State University (BSU)
Master's
1 Bridgewater, Massachusetts Public bridgew.edu
Georgian Court University (GCU)
Master's
1 Lakewood, New Jersey Private georgian.edu
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU)
Other Award
1 Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania Public sru.edu
Jackson State Community College (JSCC)
Other Award
1 Jackson, Tennessee Public jscc.edu
EDP University of Puerto Rico
Associate's
1 Villalba, Puerto Rico Private edpuniversity.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Criminal Justice, Other programs

How much can I earn with a Criminal Justice, Other degree?

Salaries for Criminal Justice, Other graduates vary by role and location. Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $71,470 annually, while Correctional Officers and Jailers earn around $57,970. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $116,040 compared to $47,245 in Kansas. Approximately 378,940 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.

Which universities have the largest Criminal Justice, Other programs?

Currently 98 accredited institutions offer Criminal Justice, Other degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (2,029 graduates), University of Phoenix (UOPX), Arizona (486 graduates), and Sam Houston State University (SHSU) (116 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

Is enrollment in Criminal Justice, Other growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 5,261 in 2010 to 4,327 in 2023-24. This represents a 18% decrease overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.

What career paths are available with a Criminal Justice, Other degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary, Correctional Officers and Jailers, . Related occupations employ approximately 378,940 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.

Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

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