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Criminal justice


What are criminal justice majors?

Criminal justice programs at the college level typically fall into one of two categories: those that prepare students for careers in criminal justice, and those that provide a more general education with an emphasis on social science. There are many different types of criminal justice careers, including law enforcement, corrections, probation, and parole. A degree in criminal justice can prepare you for a career in any of these fields. Most criminal justice programs include coursework in topics such as criminology, law, and psychology. These courses provide students with a strong foundation in the study of crime and the criminal justice system.

How much do criminal justice majors make?

Criminal justice graduates typically make between $40,000 and $92,000 per year. The national average of reported salaries for criminal justice degrees is $60,000. The highest paying major within criminal justice is Criminal justice and corrections with an average salary of $60,000. The lowest paying major within criminal justice is Criminology with an average salary of $56,000.
Criminal justice majorsAverage salarySalary
Criminal justice and corrections$60,000
Criminology$56,000
Criminal justice and law enforcement administrationNo data
Criminal justice and safety studiesNo data
Cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorismNo data
Forensic science and technologyNo data
Police and criminal scienceNo data
Security servicesNo data

Popular criminal justice majors by degrees awarded

On average, around 95,500 students obtain a bachelor's degree or associate degree in all criminal justice fields each year. In 2021, the most popular major within criminal justice was criminal justice and safety studies with 31,518 students obtaining a bachelor's degree and 7,871 students obtaining an associate degree. The least popular major was security services with 435 students obtaining a bachelor's degree and 24 students obtaining an associate degree. Overall, criminal justice majors are some of the most common among undergraduate students.