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First, some facts. Of the Criminal Justice graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 2219 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 53%, Criminal Justice graduates have a much lower likelihood (-14%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 36% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Criminal Justice graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 83% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from Saint John's University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONLoss Prevention Guard Century 21 Oct 2012 - Oct 2014 Police Officer  DeKalb County Police Department Mar 2014 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When it comes to analyzing job trajectories for individuals with degrees in Criminal Justice, there’s a wide range of positions reflecting different levels of relevance to the field. Many graduates have ventured into roles that are either directly tied to law enforcement and the justice system or into sectors that don’t apply their education at all. The most common jobs fall into a few categories such as law enforcement, legal support, insurance, and administrative roles. However, the connection of those roles to their educational background varies significantly.
Many graduates have secured positions as police officers, corrections officers, and community supervision officers. These jobs make extensive use of the knowledge and skills acquired through Criminal Justice programs, focusing on law enforcement practices, public safety, and criminal behavior. Graduates in these roles often emphasize their daily application of criminal justice principles, ensuring that they are fully utilizing the relevance of their studies. Other positions such as parole officers and juvenile justice specialists also illustrate a strong tie to the educational foundation laid during their degree programs.
On the other hand, numerous graduates have taken on jobs completely disconnected from Criminal Justice, such as retail management, administrative assistant positions, and roles in fields like marketing or sales. For example, many have transitioned into areas like insurance, customer service, and various management roles where the knowledge gained from a Criminal Justice degree is not practically applied. While some of these positions may leverage soft skills like problem-solving and communication, they generally lack a clear connection to core criminal justice knowledge and principles. Overall, while a significant portion of job roles directly pertains to the field, many graduates find themselves in positions that do not fully utilize their academic qualifications, leading to a varied landscape of career paths.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Criminal Justice graduates:
Graduates with a degree in Criminal Justice often have diverse career trajectories, as evidenced by the extensive sample of LinkedIn profiles analyzed. Many of these graduates land their initial jobs in law enforcement, security, or roles directly related to the field of criminal justice. For instance, positions like police officer, corrections officer, and associated internships or entry-level roles in criminal justice-related organizations are common. These entry-level roles reflect a strong inclination toward public service and direct engagement with the criminal justice system, underscoring the practical application of their studies. However, as we examine the career paths five to ten years post-graduation, the diversity of career outcomes becomes evident. While many individuals remain within the realm of criminal justice — advancing to roles like detective, sergeant, or probation officer — others seem to veer off into unrelated sectors. Some graduates transition to roles in areas like sales, management, or even entirely different paths such as education and human resources. This variance may indicate a mix of personal choice, market demand, or a perceived lack of opportunities within the criminal justice field itself. In general, it appears that graduates from this field often secure jobs relevant to their studies early on, particularly in policing and corrections. However, as time progresses, there seems to be a significant number who pivot to other industries, which may not align as closely with their academic background. This trend might suggest challenges in career advancement within their chosen field or a broader interest in exploring unrelated career options that leverage their skills in different contexts. Overall, the career trajectories of Criminal Justice graduates showcase a blend of commitment to their field in the early stages and a broader curiosity about diverse career paths in the long run. While many find successful roles within the justice system, a notable segment also employs their education and skills in various other professions, reflecting the multifaceted nature of their degree and its applicability in the job market.
A Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice can vary in difficulty depending on your interests and strengths, but generally, it’s considered to be on the easier side compared to some other degrees. If you enjoy subjects like sociology, psychology, and understanding laws, you might find the coursework pretty manageable. You’ll definitely have to read a bunch of textbooks and write papers, but there’s usually a lot of discussion and group work involved, which can make it more engaging. So, if you have a genuine interest in the field, it might not feel that tough, but like any degree, it still requires effort and dedication to get through!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice.
It seems like the career paths of these criminal justice graduates vary quite a bit in terms of earning potential. For example, graduates from the University of Maryland University College who have moved up to high-level positions like Director Consulting Expert likely earn a decent salary, reflecting their experience and advanced roles. On the other hand, a recent grad from Florida International University currently working as an insurance agent might still be in the earlier stages of their career, which could mean a more modest income as they build their experience and client base.
In general, jobs in law enforcement, public service, or management tend to offer more consistent opportunities for upward mobility and higher salaries compared to positions in entry-level roles or internships. Some graduates working in areas like real estate or corporate roles might see variability in their earnings based on commission or company performance. All in all, while some folks might be pulling in a solid salary, others are starting from the ground up, so it really depends on their specific roles and how seasoned they are in their respective fields.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice (ordered by the average relevance score of their Criminal Justice graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
