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First, some facts. Of the Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration graduates from Western Illinois University 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 20 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration graduates from Western Illinois University have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) 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, only 30% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 96% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2014 from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPolice Officer Town of Normal, IL Jan 2015 - Oct 2023 Detective Town of Normal, IL May 2022 - Oct 2023 Claim specialist  State Farm Oct 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
People who graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University often find themselves in various roles. A significant number of graduates seem to gravitate towards positions that are directly connected to law enforcement, like police officers, detectives, and probation officers. These roles make extensive use of the skills and knowledge they acquired during their studies, focusing on understanding criminal behavior, enforcing laws, and working within the judicial system. For example, jobs as Surveillance Managers and Emergency Dispatchers also highlight how graduates apply their insights from their degree in practical, real-world settings, ensuring safety and compliance in different contexts.
However, it's not all related to criminal justice. A notable portion of graduates has taken on roles that stray far from their academic focus, such as those in restaurant management, logistics, or even customer service. These jobs might not utilize the specialized knowledge they learned during their time at university, which could be frustrating for graduates hoping to deeply engage in their field. Interestingly, while many graduates successfully enter law enforcement or criminal justice roles, others end up in positions that don't align with their degree, reflecting a somewhat mixed bag of outcomes when it comes to job relevance. This underscores the importance of networking and seeking out opportunities that directly relate to their criminal justice training after graduation.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration graduates (this is across all Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Western Illinois University):
Looking at the career paths of graduates from Western Illinois University who studied Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration, it seems like there's a mix of outcomes. Many graduates took roles that directly relate to law enforcement and criminal justice right after their degrees, such as police officers, probation officers, and case managers, which is a positive sign. For instance, graduates from 2013 and 2014 seem to have secured solid positions in probation and law enforcement, showing a good alignment with their studies. Over time, many of these individuals have moved up in their careers, from roles like police officer to detective, or transitioned from supporting roles in services for youths and families to more stable positions in mental health and social services. This suggests that their degrees have been effective in helping them find meaningful, relevant work.
However, not all career trajectories look as promising. Some graduates ended up in positions that seem unrelated to criminal justice, such as general management roles in the food service industry or warehouse work. This might indicate that, while some found their calling in law enforcement and criminal justice fields, others have had to pivot, possibly due to job availability or a change in interests. The diversity in job placements points to a common challenge many graduates face in finding positions directly tied to their degree, especially in the early years following graduation. Ultimately, while many have succeeded in relevant careers, others have taken roads less traveled, leading to a mix of experiences across the board.
Honestly, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration at Western Illinois University is pretty manageable, especially compared to some other majors. You'll dive into interesting subjects like criminal law, ethics, and community policing, which can be really engaging. While there are challenging courses and a fair amount of reading and writing, it's not usually considered overly difficult. If you stay organized and keep up with your assignments, you'll likely find a nice balance of workload and interesting content. Overall, it might feel easier than average, especially if you have a genuine interest in the field!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration.
Looking at the job paths of these Western Illinois University Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement grads, it seems like they've landed some decent gigs overall, but the salary varies quite a bit depending on the role and experience level. For instance, those who worked in casinos or law enforcement, like the Surveillance Shift Managers and Police Officers, might be making more stable salaries compared to others in service or entry-level positions, like restaurant managers or warehouse workers. Also, careers in police work often come with benefits and a better pay scale as they gain experience, while roles in mental health or community services might offer more modest wages initially. So, depending on their specific jobs and career choices, some seem to have found good financial footing, while others may be still working towards it.
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 and Law Enforcement Administration (this is across all Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Western Illinois University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration (ordered by the average relevance score of their Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 American Military University
|
81 | 10 |
 Columbia Southern University
|
70 | 16 |
 Western Illinois University
|
63 | 20 |
 Columbia College
|
59 | 10 |
 John Jay College (CUNY)
|
57 | 11 |
 University of Phoenix
|
54 | 88 |
 Florida International University
|
53 | 13 |
 Park University
|
53 | 23 |
 Virginia Commonwealth University
|
34 | 10 |