Criminal Justice and Corrections at St. Joseph's University-New York

St. Joseph's University-New York's Criminal Justice program demonstrates something unusual for the field: substantial earnings growth after graduation. While starting salaries at $35,794 lag slightly behind the national median of $37,856, graduates see their earnings jump 55% by year four to $55,499—well above what most criminal justice programs deliver nationally.

This trajectory matters because it suggests graduates are advancing into supervisory or specialized roles rather than plateauing at entry-level positions. Within New York, the program ranks in the 60th percentile despite being in one of the nation's most expensive cities, where salaries should theoretically run higher. That's a reasonable showing, though programs like Excelsior and Utica demonstrate much stronger earning potential exists in the state. The debt load of $25,062 sits right at the state and national medians, keeping the initial debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.70.

For parents weighing this option, the key question is whether their child can weather the lean first year while building toward that year-four salary. If your student is serious about a criminal justice career and willing to start at the bottom, this program shows it can lead somewhere. But families should understand they're banking on career progression rather than strong starting pay, and there are higher-performing alternatives within New York if your student can gain admission.