Criminal Justice and Corrections at Monmouth University

Monmouth University's criminal justice program shows strong momentum, with graduates more than doubling their typical earnings by year four. That 41% growth trajectory—from $37,862 to $53,228—suggests the degree opens doors to genuine career advancement, which matters in a field where many graduates plateau early.

The program lands in the middle of the pack nationally but outperforms 60% of New Jersey criminal justice programs, despite charging slightly above the state median in debt ($27,000 vs. $24,672). Among New Jersey schools, only a handful of competitors deliver higher first-year earnings, and Monmouth's debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 means graduates earn enough in their first year to reasonably manage their loans—a threshold that matters for starting salaries below $40,000.

The real question is whether families can afford the moderate upfront investment while graduates build toward those stronger mid-career numbers. With 90% of applicants admitted and a relatively accessible SAT average, Monmouth positions itself as a feasible option for students who might struggle to access the state's most selective programs. For families comfortable with typical college debt levels and confident their student can navigate the early-career grind, the four-year earnings data suggests patience pays off.