A Criminal Justice degree focuses on the systems and institutions dedicated to maintaining public safety and justice. Students study law enforcement, the courts, corrections, and criminology through both theoretical and practical lenses. You’ll learn how these systems interact, gain insight into societal impacts of crime, and develop ethical reasoning and critical thinking skills.
What are the career opportunities with a Criminal Justice degree?
Job Title
Description
Average U.S. Salary
Detective / Criminal Investigator
Investigate serious crimes, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and collaborate with other agencies to solve cases. This career is especially good for students who love problem-solving and want to make a difference in the world.
$93,580 per year
Correctional Officer
Correctional officers work in jails and prisons to help maintain facility safety, and support rehabilitation efforts.
$57,970 per year
Probation or Parole Officer
Probation officers help support people who are released from incarceration, help them reintegrate, and ensure compliance with court orders.
$64,520 per year
Forensic Science Technician / Crime Scene Investigator
Collect and analyze physical evidence from crime scenes, contributing key scientific insight in investigations. Technicians will often work in labs while Crime Scene investigators will work “in the field”.
$67,440 per year
Federal Agent (e.g., FBI, DEA)
Conduct national-level operations involving investigation, intelligence gathering, and enforcement of federal laws. Many federal agents
$73,100–$125,000+ per year
Victim Advocate
Provide support, resources, and navigation through the justice system for victims of crime, ensuring their voices are heard.
$42,900 per year
Private Investigator
Perform investigations for clients -gathering facts, surveillance, and research – for legal, corporate, or personal matters.
$49,500–$59,800 per year
What are the Industry applications for a Criminal Justice degree
Law Enforcement & Public Safety
With a Criminal Justice Degree, you can keep your community safe, join emergency response, and engage in crime prevention at the local, state, or federal level. In this industry, it’s exceptionally important to have a strong moral foundation, and a pull to help your community. There’s additionally the opportunity to work in prisons, jails and other correctional programs to support and guide individuals toward transformation.
Forensics
Criminal Justice graduates can help to create closure for friends and family members of crimes by uncovering what happened at crime scenes. These jobs can be either within a lab, or directly on crime scenes.
Legal & Court Services
In this field, Criminal Justice graduates support the judicial process as legal assistants, court liaisons, compliance officers, or victim advocates. These jobs help to provide structure, support, and ethical oversight for various positions within the legal system.
Federal Agencies & National Security
Agencies like the FBI, DEA, or CIA are always looking for criminal justice graduates who can protect national interests through intelligence analysis, investigations, or policy-focused roles.
Private Sector Investigations & Security
If you’d rather work for the private sector, then you can assist corporations or individuals through investigations, cybersecurity, and risk assessment roles.
