Rankings / By State
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Ohio
- 30
- Schools
- $46,483
- Avg. Earnings
- 42%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,102
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,349
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 30 schools run from $32,568 to $80,928, a 2.5× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Ohio University-Southern Campus delivers the most for the money: roughly $52,581 in median earnings against $5,993 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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North Central State College is the lowest-cost school here at $4,687 a year in net price.
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Ohio Northern University graduates 75% of its students, versus a 42% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Zane State College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.20× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- North Central State College costs $4,687 a year and Baldwin Wallace University costs $27,603. Yet their graduates earn $38,158 and $54,122, nowhere near the $22,916 price gap.
- On value, Ohio University-Southern Campus beats Ohio Northern University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Ohio Northern University finishes 75% of students while University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College finishes 16%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
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 Ohio University-Southern Campus and Ohio Northern 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 $48K 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 Ohio Northern University #1 overall | $80,928 ▲ +74% vs avg | $24,478 | 75% | 72 |
| 2 North Central State College #2 overall | $38,158 ▼ -18% vs avg | $4,687 | 35% | 69 |
| 3 Central Ohio Technical College #3 overall | $39,168 ▼ -16% vs avg | $9,948 | 27% | 69 |
| $41,544 ▼ -11% vs avg | $12,767 | 52% | 69 | |
| $35,942 ▼ -23% vs avg | $26,500 | 41% | 69 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Ohio
This analysis ranks 30 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $46,483 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 42% and an average net price of $17,102.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Ohio University-Southern Campus — Net Price: $5,993 | Graduation Rate: 20%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Ohio Northern University — 75% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Ohio Northern University — Median alumni earnings: $80,928
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?
$48,168
Median earnings (10yr)
41%
Median graduation rate
$18,020
Median net price
1.1%
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 30 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $48,168 ten years after they first enrolled, about $168 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 41%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $18,020 a year, with about $24,104 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 32% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.1%.
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 $48,168 against $24,104 in typical debt show why fit and outcomes matter more here than prestige alone.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Ohio Northern University lands at #1 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $80,928 a decade after enrolling, 74% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,478 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
North Central State College lands at #2 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $38,158 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,687 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 #3
Central Ohio Technical College lands at #3 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $39,168 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,948 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 #4
Youngstown State University lands at #4 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $41,544 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,767 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Tiffin University lands at #5 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $35,942 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,500 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 #6
Ashland University lands at #6 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $52,928 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,988 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
Mount Vernon Nazarene University lands at #7 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $49,555 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,421 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 #8
Muskingum University lands at #8 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $48,440 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,532 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
Bluffton University lands at #9 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $49,547 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,943 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 #10
Central State University lands at #10 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (46/100). Graduates earn a median $33,267 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,096 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Malone University lands at #11 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $48,909 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,948 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
Defiance College lands at #12 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $49,351 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,337 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 #13
Northwest State Community College lands at #13 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $40,004 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,555 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 #14
Wilmington College lands at #14 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $48,491 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,153 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 #15
Lake Erie College lands at #15 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $50,417 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,961 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 #16
Baldwin Wallace University lands at #16 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $54,122 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,603 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
Zane State College lands at #17 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $35,006 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,062 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 #18
Kent State University at Trumbull lands at #18 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $45,388 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,135 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 #19
Franklin University lands at #19 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (31/100). Graduates earn a median $51,892 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,243 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 #20
Marion Technical College lands at #20 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $41,495 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,417 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 #21
Miami University-Hamilton lands at #21 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,076 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,286 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.
Pillar breakdown
Cincinnati, OH · 85% accepted · $25,648 net
Why it ranks #22
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus lands at #22 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (50/100). Graduates earn a median $54,810 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,648 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
Bowling Green, OH · 81% accepted · $24,022 net
Why it ranks #23
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus lands at #23 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $47,896 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,022 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 #24
Washington State College of Ohio lands at #24 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (30/100). Graduates earn a median $37,988 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,714 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
University of Akron Main Campus lands at #25 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by social mobility (47/100). Graduates earn a median $46,600 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,946 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Hocking College lands at #26 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (66/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $37,791 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,704 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
Ohio University-Southern Campus lands at #27 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (37/100). Graduates earn a median $52,581 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $5,993 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College lands at #28 with a 52/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $54,810 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,508 a year. 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 #29
Ohio Christian University lands at #29 with a 51/100 composite, led by academic quality (60/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $39,813 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,607 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 #30
Bryant & Stratton College-Parma lands at #30 with a 43/100 composite, led by value per dollar (54/100) and pulled down by academic quality (34/100). Graduates earn a median $32,568 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,849 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 30 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering a career in criminal justice, the choice of college can significantly impact your future. In Ohio, several institutions stand out for their programs, helping students prepare for diverse roles in law enforcement, corrections, and legal support. The average earnings for graduates from these programs are around $46,333, illustrating the potential return on investment in this field.
The schools in this ranking are distinguished by key outcomes that matter most: graduation rates, earnings potential, debt levels, and overall program concentration. Stronger programs tend to produce graduates who earn more and face less debt upon entering the workforce. As you explore the list below, keep an eye on these metrics to find the best fit for your goals.
For example, Ohio Northern University offers impressive earnings of $80,928 with a graduation rate of 75%, but it comes with a higher net price of $24,478 and $27,000 in debt. In contrast, North Central State College has lower earnings of $38,158 and a 35% graduation rate, but it boasts a much more affordable net price of $4,687 and lower debt of $8,252. These factors highlight the trade-offs involved in choosing a program that aligns with your financial and career aspirations.
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 18 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.1%. Franklin University leads the group at 3.5%, with Central State University (2.1%) and Central Ohio Technical College (1.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 8.4% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Central State University leads at 23.9%, 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 15.8% across this list. Ohio Northern University posts the highest success rate at 52.1%. 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 1.43 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Mount Vernon Nazarene University reaches 1.70, 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
A significant pattern emerges when comparing the earnings of graduates from different colleges. For instance, Ohio Northern University outperforms Central Ohio Technical College with average earnings of $80,928 versus $39,168. However, this higher earning potential comes with a tradeoff; Ohio Northern also has a much higher net price and debt load. Understanding these numbers helps students make informed choices about which tradeoffs they are willing to accept.
As you sift through these schools, weigh the data against your personal priorities. Consider factors like your desired location, the fit of the program with your career goals, campus culture, and financial situation. A higher-stakes decision might require balancing a higher cost with better earnings potential, or opting for a more affordable program with lower graduation rates. Think about what matters most to you.
Ultimately, the data illustrates the importance of making a thoughtful choice about your education. One family's decision about which criminal justice program to pursue could set the course for their future financial stability and job satisfaction. This is a pivotal moment, and understanding the implications of each option can guide you toward a secure and fulfilling career.
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 Ohio: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Ohio ranking? +
Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Ohio ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $80,928 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 75% 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? +
Ohio Northern University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $80,928 ten years after enrollment, well above the $46,483 average across the 30 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, Ohio University-Southern Campus leads: graduates earn a median $52,581 against net price of about $5,993 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? +
Ohio Northern University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 75%, compared with a 42% 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 $17,102 a year across the 30 ranked schools with cost data. North Central State College is among the most affordable at roughly $4,687. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Ohio 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 30 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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