Rankings / By State
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New York
- 50
- Schools
- $51,598
- Avg. Earnings
- 43%
- Avg. Graduation
- $14,561
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,662
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $38,242 at the low end to $77,819 at the top. That 2.0× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
-
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $56,195 against $3,203 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
-
Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice at $3,203 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $56,195, matching or exceeding the list average.
-
Completion rates separate this field: Marist University graduates 80% of its students, well above the 43% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
-
Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Suffolk County Community College: graduates owe only 0.17× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice ($56,195 earnings), not the highest earner, Marist University ($77,819). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice ($3,203/yr) and Marist University ($41,544/yr) produce graduates earning $56,195 and $77,819 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $38,341 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice outperforms Marist University: similar career earnings at a much lower 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 CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Marist University. 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 $50K 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 CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice #1 overall | $56,195 ▲ +9% vs avg | $3,203 | 56% | 90 |
| 2 Hilbert College #2 overall | $48,309 ▼ -6% vs avg | $22,723 | 52% | 75 |
| 3 Utica University #3 overall | $63,277 ▲ +23% vs avg | $19,108 | 56% | 74 |
| $56,403 ▲ +9% vs avg | $17,156 | 59% | 74 | |
| $41,896 ▼ -19% vs avg | $5,035 | 32% | 73 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New York
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $51,598 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 43% and an average net price of $14,561.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice — Net Price: $3,203 | Graduation Rate: 56%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Marist University — 80% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Marist University — Median alumni earnings: $77,819
Our Analysis Found
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?
$50,344
Median earnings (10yr)
44%
Median graduation rate
$13,398
Median net price
2.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Legal education is high-stakes. Graduates carry significant debt into a profession where earnings split sharply between large-firm and public-sector tracks, and bar passage is non-negotiable. The programs that deliver value combine strong bar preparation, real placement into legal employment, and costs that do not force graduates onto the large-firm track just to service loans.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $50,344 ten years after they first enrolled, about $2,344 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 44%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $13,398 a year, with about $15,465 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 37% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 2.4%.
The earnings premium at the top of legal education masks a long tail of modest outcomes, and debt amplifies every decision. With median earnings of $50,344 and typical debt of $15,465, choosing a program with strong bar-passage rates and employment outcomes matters far more than chasing a brand name.
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
New York, NY · 57% accepted · $3,203 net
Why it ranks #1
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice lands at #1 with a 90/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $56,195 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,203 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Hilbert College lands at #2 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $48,309 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,723 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 #3
Utica University lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,277 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,108 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
Plattsburgh, NY · 78% accepted · $17,156 net
Why it ranks #4
State University of New York at Plattsburgh lands at #4 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $56,403 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,156 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 #5
Ulster County Community College lands at #5 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $41,896 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,035 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
SUNY Oneonta lands at #6 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $60,386 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,158 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 #7
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred lands at #7 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,445 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,016 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 #8
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi lands at #8 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $51,629 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,225 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 #9
SUNY Buffalo State University lands at #9 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $52,334 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,346 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 #10
Farmingdale State College lands at #10 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $69,781 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,867 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Canisius University lands at #11 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $60,681 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,940 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College lands at #12 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $42,306 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,976 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
SUNY College of Technology at Canton lands at #13 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $47,860 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,268 a year. 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
Why it ranks #14
Suffolk County Community College lands at #14 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $49,907 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,258 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
CUNY LaGuardia Community College lands at #15 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $41,653 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,120 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
SUNY Brockport lands at #16 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $54,496 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,353 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Iona University lands at #17 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $73,595 a decade after enrolling, 43% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,188 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Roberts Wesleyan University lands at #18 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $55,031 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,130 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Mercy University lands at #19 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $52,055 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,072 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Keuka College lands at #20 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $58,289 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,338 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Nassau Community College lands at #21 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $48,248 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,095 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
University at Albany lands at #22 with a 69/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (72/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $67,979 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,167 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Rockland Community College lands at #23 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,243 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,282 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
CUNY Bronx Community College lands at #24 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $41,307 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,462 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Marist University lands at #25 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $77,819 a decade after enrolling, 51% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,544 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Schenectady County Community College lands at #26 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $40,902 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,947 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Orange County Community College lands at #27 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $44,117 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,794 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
SUNY at Fredonia lands at #28 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $54,247 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,897 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Dutchess Community College lands at #29 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $43,929 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,065 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Hudson Valley Community College lands at #30 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $45,460 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,501 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Alfred University lands at #31 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $54,897 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,620 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Hartwick College lands at #32 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $61,107 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,320 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Elmira College lands at #33 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $57,550 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,386 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Erie Community College lands at #34 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $41,228 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,765 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Jamestown Community College lands at #35 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $38,242 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,850 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Onondaga Community College lands at #36 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $41,190 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,562 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Jefferson Community College lands at #37 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $39,991 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,923 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
Why it ranks #38
SUNY Westchester Community College lands at #38 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $46,822 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,373 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Monroe Community College lands at #39 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $40,174 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,353 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Genesee Community College lands at #40 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $39,674 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,334 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
North Country Community College lands at #41 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $38,276 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,868 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
Why it ranks #42
St. Joseph's University-New York lands at #42 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,905 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,035 a year, above the field. 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 #43
Tompkins Cortland Community College lands at #43 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,707 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,723 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
Why it ranks #44
SUNY Broome Community College lands at #44 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $39,710 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,940 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
State University of New York at Oswego lands at #45 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $57,566 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,236 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
CUNY Queensborough Community College lands at #46 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,214 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,458 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
St. Thomas Aquinas College lands at #47 with a 63/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (68/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $62,909 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,994 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
St. John's University-New York lands at #48 with a 62/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $69,571 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,999 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
St. Francis College lands at #49 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,099 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,129 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
SUNY Morrisville lands at #50 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (64/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $43,295 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,939 a year, above 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 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a criminal justice program in New York means weighing various factors that can significantly impact your future. With an average earning potential of $50,097 for graduates, these schools represent a diverse set of options for students eager to enter this growing field.
What distinguishes the top programs here is their ability to balance key outcomes such as earnings, graduation rates, and manageable debt. For instance, the highest-performing schools not only produce graduates who earn well but do so with lower student debt, making their programs more accessible and attractive to prospective students.
Take CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Farmingdale State College, for example. While John Jay has a net price of $3,203 and a graduation rate of 56%, Farmingdale’s graduates earn significantly more at $69,781, but with a higher net price of $10,867. This contrast highlights the trade-offs students may need to consider as they explore their options.
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 41 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.4%. CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice leads the group at 9.7%, with CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College (6.1%) and CUNY LaGuardia Community College (6.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 13.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. CUNY Bronx Community College leads at 41%, 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 19.1% across this list. Iona University posts the highest success rate at 39.2%. 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 1.35 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Marist University reaches 1.85, 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
When we dive deeper into the data, a clear pattern emerges between schools. Farmingdale State College outperforms CUNY John Jay in earnings, with its graduates making $69,781 compared to John Jay’s $56,195. However, John Jay’s lower net price of $3,203 offers a more affordable path, especially for those concerned about student debt.
As you sift through this list of 50 schools, consider how these metrics align with your personal priorities. Think about location, program fit, and campus culture. For example, a school with a slightly lower graduation rate might offer you a better match in terms of support services or internship opportunities that could lead to higher earnings.
Ultimately, the stakes are high as you choose a path from college to a stable career. One family’s decision to invest in education can shape their financial future for years to come. Focus on schools that not only promise good earnings but also provide a supportive environment that aligns with your career aspirations.
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 New York: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New York ranking? +
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New York ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $56,195 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 56% 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? +
Marist University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $77,819 ten years after enrollment, well above the $51,598 average across the 50 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, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice leads: graduates earn a median $56,195 against net price of about $3,203 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? +
Marist University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 80%, compared with a 43% 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 $14,561 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice is among the most affordable at roughly $3,203. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New York 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 50 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
Related Rankings
