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First, some facts. Of the Criminal Justice and Police Science 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 451 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 53%, Criminal Justice and Police Science 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, 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 Police Science graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from Texas A&M International University with a Bachelor of Applied Science - BASc in Criminal Justice and Police Science. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPolice Officer Southwest ISD Sep 2017 - Jan 2018 Investigator Webb County Sheriff's Office Jan 2018 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
The job market for those who have graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice and Police Science showcases a wide variety of roles, reflecting both relevant and unrelated career paths. While many individuals directly enter law enforcement or related positions, there is a notable presence of professionals pursuing careers outside traditional criminal justice roles. This diversity in employment is a mixture of necessity, individual choice, and the transferable skills that a Criminal Justice degree provides.
Among the most common job types for these graduates are various law enforcement roles, such as Police Officers, Detectives, and Deputy Sheriffs. These positions undoubtedly utilize the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies, involving daily engagements with law enforcement principles, legal processes, and community interaction. For instance, graduates often report roles like Police Officers at various agencies, where they apply practices learned in their programs directly to serve their communities and uphold the law. Furthermore, positions in correctional services, such as Correctional Officers and Juvenile Corrections Officers, are also prevalent. These roles similarly require a strong foundation in criminal justice concepts, underscoring the degree's relevance to these career paths.
On the other hand, a significant number of graduates have taken on positions that don't necessarily align with Criminal Justice principles. Many have ventured into roles in management, administration, or sales, such as Customer Service Representatives, Marketing Managers, or Operational roles in various industries. Jobs like Executive Director or Program Managers in non-profit organizations leverage leadership traits and strategic planning but often lack direct applications of criminal justice knowledge. Moreover, numerous graduates find themselves in purely technical or service-oriented roles such as IT Specialists, Fitness Trainers, or Hospitality Managers, demonstrating that while the skills obtained from a Criminal Justice degree are valuable, they are also versatile enough to transition into various sectors.
Overall, while many graduates are effectively using their Criminal Justice and Police Science degrees in relevant and impactful roles, a significant portion is experiencing career paths that, while beneficial, do not utilize the core competencies of their studies. This trend indicates a broader employment landscape where the degree's impact is both direct and indirect, painting a complex picture of career outcomes post-graduation.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Criminal Justice and Police Science graduates:
Analyzing the career trajectories of individuals who graduated with degrees in Criminal Justice and Police Science provides some interesting insights. It seems there’s a mixed bag of outcomes for these graduates. Many entered jobs directly related to their field of study right after graduation, but as time went on, a significant portion drifted into unrelated careers or roles that fell outside of traditional criminal justice paths. For example, graduates often started with roles like police officers, administrative positions in legal settings, or security jobs right after graduation. This shows that many initially found opportunities relevant to their field, which is promising for students heading into these programs.
However, looking further into their careers five or ten years later, we can see a trend where some individuals have transitioned into management roles or specialized positions, such as legal assistants, project managers, or even educators in criminal justice. Others, unfortunately, ended up in positions that seem quite removed from their original degree, such as sales roles or customer service positions. This raises questions about job satisfaction and alignment with career goals. Overall, it appears that while many graduates begin with strong footing in their field, the long-term career paths vary widely, with some finding success and others struggling to connect their education with their job roles down the line. It seems that graduates may need to be proactive in seeking opportunities that keep them in tune with their career ambitions if they aim to stay within the criminal justice system or related fields.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Police Science can be a mix of both challenging and manageable, depending on your interests and strengths. If you're into social sciences, critical thinking, and enjoy writing papers about law, crime, and society, you might find it more on the easier side. There are definitely some tough classes, like statistics and research methods, but overall, a lot of the material is pretty relatable and interesting, especially if you have a passion for justice and public safety. It’s not a walk in the park, but if you stay motivated and engaged, you can definitely handle it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice and Police Science.
When looking at the job histories of these Criminal Justice and Police Science graduates, you can see that they are making varying degrees of money, and it seems like some are not doing as well as they might hope considering their education. For example, the ones in high-stress roles like police officers or emergency managers seem to have decent, stable incomes, while others who start as servers or in lower-tier positions may not be making as much. Those who’ve moved up into managerial or specialized roles within agencies often progress to solid salaries, particularly in law enforcement or security.
However, not everyone seems to have a straight path to financial success. Several graduates are still in entry-level or administrative roles, which likely means they're not raking in the big bucks just yet. Positions such as claims examiners or community service officers might not offer the best salaries, especially in comparison to other fields. Overall, some graduates are doing well, but there’s a lot of disparity in pay, which may reflect the variety of roles and levels of responsibility associated with their degrees.
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 Police Science. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice and Police Science (ordered by the average relevance score of their Criminal Justice and Police Science graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 John Jay College (CUNY)
|
55 | 18 |