Rankings / By State
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Alabama
- 11
- Schools
- $40,136
- Avg. Earnings
- 39%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,659
- Avg. Net Price
- $25,343
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 11 schools run from $32,229 to $54,501, a 1.7× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Chattahoochee Valley Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $36,438 in median earnings against $4,244 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, Chattahoochee Valley Community College ($4,244 net price), still posts $36,438 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates 63% of its students, versus a 39% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Chattahoochee Valley Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.29× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Faulkner University ($43,457 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, University of Alabama at Birmingham ($54,501), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Chattahoochee Valley Community College costs $4,244 a year and Faulkner University costs $22,085. Yet their graduates earn $36,438 and $43,457, nowhere near the $17,841 price gap.
- On value, Chattahoochee Valley Community College beats University of Alabama at Birmingham: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Chattahoochee Valley Community College and University of Alabama at Birmingham. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $41K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Faulkner University #1 overall | $43,457 ▲ +8% vs avg | $22,085 | 38% | 73 |
| 2 Jacksonville State University #2 overall | $45,235 ▲ +13% vs avg | $14,279 | 53% | 70 |
| 3 University of Alabama at Birmingham #3 overall | $54,501 ▲ +36% vs avg | $18,749 | 63% | 69 |
| $44,391 ▲ +11% vs avg | $13,224 | 34% | 66 | |
| $36,438 ▼ -9% vs avg | $4,244 | 36% | 64 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Alabama
This analysis ranks 11 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $40,136 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 39% and an average net price of $15,659.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Chattahoochee Valley Community College — Net Price: $4,244 | Graduation Rate: 36%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Alabama at Birmingham — 63% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Alabama at Birmingham — Median alumni earnings: $54,501
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Legal Profession Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the legal profession and the justice system?
$40,628
Median earnings (10yr)
36%
Median graduation rate
$15,560
Median net price
1.7%
Avg. mobility rate
Law and criminal-justice programs feed careers where outcomes hinge on two numbers most rankings ignore: bar passage and employment in the field. Salaries are famously bimodal, with a cluster at large firms and a long tail in public-interest and government roles. Debt loads can be heavy, so program quality carries unusual stakes.
Across the 11 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $40,628 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 36%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $15,560 a year, with about $25,000 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 54% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.7%.
What we’re seeing: the gap between programs with strong bar-passage and placement records and the rest is wide, and debt makes that gap consequential. Median earnings of $40,628 against $25,000 in typical debt show why fit and outcomes matter more here than prestige alone.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Faulkner University lands at #1 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $43,457 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,085 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Jacksonville State University lands at #2 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $45,235 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,279 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Alabama at Birmingham lands at #3 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $54,501 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,749 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Auburn University at Montgomery lands at #4 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $44,391 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,224 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Chattahoochee Valley Community College lands at #5 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $36,438 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,244 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Stillman College lands at #6 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $35,421 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,258 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Troy University lands at #7 with a 55/100 composite, led by academic quality (59/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $42,062 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,527 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Alabama State University lands at #8 with a 53/100 composite, led by social mobility (56/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $34,502 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,435 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Talladega College lands at #9 with a 51/100 composite, led by value per dollar (52/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (47/100). Graduates earn a median $32,229 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,560 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Alabama A & M University lands at #10 with a 51/100 composite, led by social mobility (54/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $40,628 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,621 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Miles College lands at #11 with a 50/100 composite, led by social mobility (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $32,627 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,271 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 11 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing the right college for a Criminal Justice degree can be a game-changer for aspiring professionals. In Alabama, several schools stand out for their program quality and outcomes. The data shows that focusing on earnings and graduation rates can help steer students toward programs that will benefit them long after graduation.
What sets the top schools apart is not just their focus on Criminal Justice but also their measurable success post-graduation. Schools in this ranking offer a range of outcomes, including average earnings, completion rates, and student debt figures. These factors provide a clearer picture of what you can expect after completing your degree, making it easier to compare your options below.
Take, for instance, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where graduates earn an impressive $54,501 on average, with a graduation rate of 63%. In contrast, Faulkner University reports lower earnings of $43,457 and a graduation rate of just 38%. This highlights the importance of choosing a program that aligns with your career goals and financial expectations.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 6 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.7%. Auburn University at Montgomery leads the group at 2.4%, with Chattahoochee Valley Community College (2.1%) and University of Alabama at Birmingham (1.9%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 17.9% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Stillman College leads at 29.6%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 10.4% across this list. Auburn University at Montgomery posts the highest success rate at 18%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.10 against a national benchmark of 1.0. University of Alabama at Birmingham reaches 1.33, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
The data reveals a stark contrast between the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Troy University. While UAB graduates enjoy average earnings of $54,501, Troy graduates earn only $42,062. This significant difference illustrates how the right program can influence financial outcomes, making UAB a more appealing choice for prospective students.
As you navigate these schools, consider what matters most to you. Weigh factors like program fit, campus culture, and financial implications alongside these data points. For example, if minimizing debt is a priority, Auburn University at Montgomery's lower net price of $13,224 could be a key factor in your decision-making process.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable career is shaped by informed choices. With average earnings in the Criminal Justice field hovering around $41,332, understanding these figures can empower families to make decisions that lead to financial stability. One informed choice can lead to a better future for students and their families, making the college search a critical step in their journey.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Alabama: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Alabama ranking? +
Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Alabama ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $43,457 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 38% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Alabama at Birmingham posts the highest median earnings on this list: $54,501 ten years after enrollment, well above the $40,136 average across the 11 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Chattahoochee Valley Community College leads: graduates earn a median $36,438 against net price of about $4,244 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Alabama at Birmingham has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 63%, compared with a 39% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $15,659 a year across the 11 ranked schools with cost data. Chattahoochee Valley Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $4,244. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Alabama ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 11 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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