Rankings / By State
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania
- 50
- Schools
- $55,082
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,238
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,262
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $38,752 at the low end to $75,701 at the top. That 2.0× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Bucks County Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $47,324 against $6,389 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, at $6,200 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Scranton graduates 80% of its students, well above the 46% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Reading Area Community College: graduates owe only 0.22× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Waynesburg University ($58,537 earnings), not the highest earner, Immaculata University ($75,701). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ($6,200/yr) and University of Scranton ($32,568/yr) produce graduates earning $38,752 and $74,652 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $26,368 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Bucks County Community College outperforms Immaculata University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Bucks County Community College and University of Scranton. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
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 $56K 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 Waynesburg University #1 overall | $58,537 ▲ +6% vs avg | $18,235 | 63% | 75 |
| 2 Immaculata University #2 overall | $75,701 ▲ +37% vs avg | $24,258 | 68% | 72 |
| 3 West Chester University of Pennsylvania #3 overall | $61,258 ▲ +11% vs avg | $23,331 | 70% | 71 |
| $62,105 ▲ +13% vs avg | $23,003 | 66% | 71 | |
| $41,000 ▼ -26% vs avg | $19,951 | 37% | 70 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $55,082 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $19,238.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Bucks County Community College — Net Price: $6,389 | Graduation Rate: 30%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Scranton — 80% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Immaculata University — Median alumni earnings: $75,701
Data Insight
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?
$55,993
Median earnings (10yr)
50%
Median graduation rate
$19,497
Median net price
1.4%
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.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 50%. Median graduate earnings reach $55,993 ten years after enrollment, roughly $7,993 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $19,497 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $25,000. Some 35% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.4%.
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 $55,993 and typical debt of $25,000, choosing a program with strong bar-passage rates and employment outcomes matters far more than chasing a brand name.
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
Waynesburg University lands at #1 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $58,537 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,235 a year. 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
Immaculata University lands at #2 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $75,701 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,258 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
West Chester, PA · 78% accepted · $23,331 net
Why it ranks #3
West Chester University of Pennsylvania lands at #3 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $61,258 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,331 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
Robert Morris University lands at #4 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $62,105 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,003 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
Lackawanna College lands at #5 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $41,000 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,951 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
Shippensburg, PA · 87% accepted · $23,726 net
Why it ranks #6
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania lands at #6 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $56,351 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,726 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
Neumann University lands at #7 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $57,817 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,804 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
University of Scranton lands at #8 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $74,652 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,568 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
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College lands at #9 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $38,752 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,200 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
East Stroudsburg, PA · 92% accepted · $18,134 net
Why it ranks #10
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania lands at #10 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $56,148 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,134 a year. 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
Manor College lands at #11 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $46,825 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,078 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 #12
Lincoln University lands at #12 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $43,167 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,977 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 #13
Seton Hill University lands at #13 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $51,748 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,204 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
Why it ranks #14
King's College lands at #14 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $59,498 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,093 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
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania lands at #15 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $53,775 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,331 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
Why it ranks #16
Bucks County Community College lands at #16 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $47,324 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,389 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 #17
La Salle University lands at #17 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $67,416 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,409 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 #18
Reading Area Community College lands at #18 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $39,082 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,228 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
Gwynedd Mercy University lands at #19 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $67,145 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,483 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
La Roche University lands at #20 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,341 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,794 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 #21
Mercyhurst University lands at #21 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $47,452 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,444 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 #22
DeSales University lands at #22 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $61,295 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,643 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 #23
Delaware County Community College lands at #23 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $45,391 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,576 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 #24
Gannon University lands at #24 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $58,845 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,553 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 #25
Alvernia University lands at #25 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $55,055 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,138 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
Luzerne County Community College lands at #26 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $40,437 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,433 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 #27
Rosemont College lands at #27 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $48,555 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,150 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 #28
Community College of Beaver County lands at #28 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (34/100). Graduates earn a median $45,090 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,937 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 #29
Thiel College lands at #29 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $49,714 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,347 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
Why it ranks #30
Point Park University lands at #30 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $45,856 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,942 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
Why it ranks #31
Northampton County Area Community College lands at #31 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $41,566 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,119 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 #32
Chestnut Hill College lands at #32 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (32/100). Graduates earn a median $52,015 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,970 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
Hazleton, PA · 96% accepted · $17,597 net
Why it ranks #33
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton lands at #33 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,597 a year, well under 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
Dallas, PA · 97% accepted · $16,448 net
Why it ranks #34
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre lands at #34 with a 63/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,448 a year, well under 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
Bloomsburg, PA · 93% accepted · $15,699 net
Why it ranks #35
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania lands at #35 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,416 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,699 a year, well under 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
Abington, PA · 97% accepted · $18,071 net
Why it ranks #36
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington lands at #36 with a 63/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,071 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 #37
Pennsylvania College of Technology lands at #37 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $52,567 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,110 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
Why it ranks #38
Cedar Crest College lands at #38 with a 62/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $59,460 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,659 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 #39
University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg lands at #39 with a 62/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $66,125 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,945 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 #40
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford lands at #40 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $66,125 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,350 a year, well under 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 #41
York College of Pennsylvania lands at #41 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $61,012 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,556 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
McKeesport, PA · 96% accepted · $15,521 net
Why it ranks #42
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny lands at #42 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,521 a year, well under 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 #43
Keystone College lands at #43 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $44,976 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,051 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
Lemont Furnace, PA · 95% accepted · $14,596 net
Why it ranks #44
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly lands at #44 with a 60/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,596 a year, well under 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
Middletown, PA · 98% accepted · $23,330 net
Why it ranks #45
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg lands at #45 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,330 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
Pennsylvania Western University lands at #46 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $47,295 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,256 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
Altoona, PA · 98% accepted · $22,213 net
Why it ranks #47
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona lands at #47 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,213 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
University Park, PA · 91% accepted · $19,550 net
Why it ranks #48
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus lands at #48 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,550 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 #49
Delaware Valley University lands at #49 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $55,838 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,278 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 #50
Butler County Community College lands at #50 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $38,891 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,233 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 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering a career in criminal justice, choosing the right college can significantly impact your future. In Pennsylvania, several institutions stand out for their strong programs and outcomes, offering a mix of earnings potential and graduation rates that can guide your decision-making. For instance, graduates from these programs have an average earning of $57,157, which reflects the value of their education in the job market.
What sets the top schools apart in this ranking is not just the quality of their programs, but the tangible outcomes for students. Key metrics such as graduation rates, average debt, and post-graduation earnings help paint a clear picture of what you can expect. For example, Immaculata University boasts a graduation rate of 68% and an impressive average earning of $75,701, illustrating how a higher completion rate can translate into better financial outcomes.
Looking at specific schools, we see notable contrasts. The University of Pittsburgh-Bradford has a graduation rate of 46% and average earnings of $66,125, while Bucks County Community College, with a graduation rate of only 30%, has lower earnings at $47,324. These figures illustrate the trade-offs students may face between program quality and financial investment 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 34 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.4%. Robert Morris University leads the group at 2.5%, with Lackawanna College (2.4%) and Waynesburg University (2.4%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 8.9% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Lackawanna College leads at 20.4%, 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% across this list. University of Scranton posts the highest success rate at 48.5%. 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 1.52 against a national benchmark of 1.0. University of Scranton reaches 1.79, 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
One pattern that stands out is the relationship between graduation rates and post-graduation earnings. Immaculata University, with its 68% graduation rate, leads to an average earning of $75,701, showcasing how completing a degree can significantly enhance earning potential. In contrast, Bucks County Community College, despite its low net price, has a graduation rate of just 30%, resulting in lower earnings of $47,324, highlighting the importance of degree completion in the job market.
After reviewing 50 schools, it’s essential to weigh this data against your personal priorities. Consider factors such as location, the specific criminal justice programs offered, and campus culture. For instance, if financial concerns are paramount, a school like Bucks County Community College might be appealing, but you should also factor in the lower graduation rate and potential earnings. Find the balance that aligns with your career goals and financial situation.
Ultimately, this data underscores how a college education can lay the groundwork for a stable life. With varying outcomes across institutions, one family's choice can set the stage for future opportunities. Deciding on a school is not just about the present; it's about paving the way for long-term success in the criminal justice field.
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 Pennsylvania: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking? +
Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, PA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $58,537 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 63% 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? +
Immaculata University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $75,701 ten years after enrollment, well above the $55,082 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, Bucks County Community College leads: graduates earn a median $47,324 against net price of about $6,389 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 Scranton has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 80%, compared with a 46% 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 $19,238 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $6,200. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania 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
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