Criminal Justice and Corrections at Temple University

Temple's Criminal Justice program sits right in the middle of Pennsylvania's competitive landscape, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide with graduates earning $47,144 four years out. That puts them roughly $10,000 behind the state's strongest programs like Peirce and Chestnut Hill, but ahead of more than half the alternatives. The $26,000 debt load is reasonable—essentially matching state and national medians—and creates a manageable starting ratio of 0.67 against first-year earnings of $38,612.

The 22% earnings bump from year one to year four shows solid progression, though criminal justice careers typically face earlier salary ceilings than many bachelor's-level fields. Temple's broader value proposition here is accessibility combined with geographic advantage: an 83% admission rate makes this attainable for most students, while the Philadelphia location provides direct access to extensive law enforcement, corrections, and legal services employers that can accelerate career entry.

For families weighing the investment, this is a middle-of-the-pack option that delivers what you'd expect—no more, no less. If your student has admission offers from the top-tier programs listed above and comparable financial aid packages, those would offer better earnings potential. But Temple provides a solid foundation at a predictable cost, particularly for students who need the flexibility of Temple's larger institutional resources and Philadelphia's job market.