What can you do with a Criminal Justice degree from Troy University?

First, some facts. Of the Criminal Justice graduates from Troy 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 38%, Criminal Justice graduates from Troy University have a substantially lower likelihood (-29%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 38%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 41% 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:

View a random Criminal Justice graduate from Troy University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 58%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from Troy University with a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Criminal Justice. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Telecommunications Operations Chief
US Army
Jan 2013 - May 2014
The role of Telecommunications Operations Chief may involve some organizational and operational skills related to criminal justice, but it does not primarily require specific knowledge from a Criminal Justice Bachelor's degree.

First Sergeant
US Army
Jun 2014 - Jun 2016
As a First Sergeant, the role likely involves leadership and operational management relevant to military conduct and discipline, which can intersect with criminal justice principles, but it does not directly utilize the specific knowledge from a Criminal Justice degree.

Division Network Operations NCOIC
82nd Airborne Division
Jul 2016 - Jul 2018
The position as Division Network Operations NCOIC may involve elements of communications and operational strategy that tangentially relate to criminal justice, but it does not require in-depth criminal justice knowledge.

Sergeant Major
United States Army Leadership Center of Excellence
Jul 2018 - Apr 2022
Serving as Sergeant Major at the United States Army Leadership Center of Excellence directly utilizes leadership and management training, which is aligned with public safety and criminal justice principles, making it highly relevant.

Implementation Project Manager
ADP
Sep 2022 - Present
The role of Implementation Project Manager at ADP predominantly focuses on project management and technological implementation, which are not core qualifications of a Criminal Justice degree and do not utilize criminal justice knowledge on a daily basis.

ABOUT

Experienced in Network Operations with a demonstrated history of working in the military industry. Skilled in Servant Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Team Building, Mentorship, Mentorship Training, Government, Combat, Emergency Management, and Intelligence. Strong information technology professional with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) focused in Criminal Justice from Troy University, CompTIA Sec+ and Net+, TC/SCI Government Clearance and in the progress of PMP Certification. If you would like to contact me please do not hesitate to email me at [EMAIL REMOVED]

What jobs can you get with a Criminal Justice degree from Troy University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the careers people with a Criminal Justice degree from Troy University have taken on, a real mix emerges. Many opted for roles like sales coordinators or project managers, which don't seem to align much with what they studied. You might think that graduating with a Criminal Justice degree would lead to jobs in law enforcement or social services, but instead, a substantial number of graduates gravitated toward sales, coordination, and diverse roles in the army, where the connection to criminal justice might be only tangential. It's almost like they took their degree and ended up in fields not directly tied to law enforcement or criminal studies.

However, there are some standout roles that do relate closely to their studies. Positions like Child Protective Services Investigator, Patrolman, Special Agent at the Attorney General's office, and Correctional Officer directly reflect the skills and knowledge gained through a Criminal Justice program. These jobs engage in foundational aspects of law enforcement and social justice, which were clearly part of the curriculum. Ultimately, while many grads veered into areas where their degree wasn’t as relevant, a significant portion found their way into roles that put them squarely in the field of Criminal Justice.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Criminal Justice graduates (this is across all Criminal Justice graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Troy University):

What kind of career trajectories do Criminal Justice graduates from Troy University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of Troy University graduates with a degree in Criminal Justice, it seems that the paths taken can be quite varied. Many of these graduates started out in roles that connect directly to law enforcement or public service, such as patrol officers and investigators. For instance, one 2012 graduate became a Special Agent for the Alabama Office of the Attorney General, showing a direct correlation to their degree. Others started in related fields like logistics or social services before making their way into roles that—while perhaps initially tangential—still touch on elements of criminal justice through investigation or protective services. However, there are also graduates who have veered into completely unrelated fields, such as sales or project management, which might raise questions about how well their education equipped them for those roles.

Fast forward five to ten years, and while some graduates have continued on strong paths within criminal justice, others appear to have shifted into positions that don't utilize their Criminal Justice training at all. For example, several graduates shifted into leadership roles in logistics or other industries, while some listed jobs like sales manager or underwriter, which, despite their importance, seem distant from their original field of study. Overall, it appears that a good number of alumni have found successful careers in criminal justice or related areas, but there are also many who ended up pursuing avenues that don't directly relate, which might suggest that while a degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University can open some doors, it doesn't guarantee a straightforward path within the field itself.

How hard is a Criminal Justice degree from Troy University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, whether at Troy University or elsewhere, can be pretty manageable for most students, especially if you're interested in the subject. You’ll dive into topics like criminology, law enforcement, and the justice system, which can be fascinating if you’re into that kind of stuff. Generally, the coursework is not overly technical, so if you stay organized, keep up with readings, and engage in discussions, you should do just fine. Some classes might be a bit tougher, especially when you get into research or writing papers, but overall, it’s not typically considered one of the hardest degrees out there. Just stay motivated and ask for help when you need it, and you’ll be alright!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice.

Do Criminal Justice graduates from Troy University tend to make good money?

Looking at these grads from Troy University, it seems like they’re starting to carve out a decent career path, but their earnings likely vary a lot. It looks like some have landed solid government or military roles, which generally pay well, like the ones in law enforcement and logistics, while others started in more entry-level positions in places like Chick-fil-A and have moved through different roles. The folks who climbed up in places like the Army or law firms seem to be making better salaries now, especially with the higher ranks and specialized positions. Still, some of the earlier roles suggest that they may not have started off making all that much. So, overall, it seems like with time and experience, many of them are likely to be earning a decent living, though there might be some who aren’t quite there yet.

What buzzwords do Criminal Justice graduates use to describe themselves?

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 is across all Criminal Justice graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Troy University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Criminal Justice?

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:

College Score Count
Westfield State University 77 10
University of Central Missouri 70 11
Monroe College 69 13
Bowling Green State University 67 10
American Military University 67 28
Kennesaw State University 64 12
East Carolina University 62 18
Ferris State University 62 16
Liberty University 61 18
San Diego State University 61 17
Temple University 60 16
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 60 10
Michigan State University 59 17
University of Delaware 59 11
Old Dominion University 59 13
California State University-Sacramento 55 22
Georgia State University 54 10
Florida Atlantic University 54 16
University of Phoenix 53 31
San Francisco State University 53 12
Radford University 52 10
John Jay College (CUNY) 52 37
Sam Houston State University 51 42
University of Nevada, Reno 51 10
University of Central Florida 50 27
Florida International University 50 33
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 50 17
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania 49 10
University of New Haven 49 17
University of Maryland University College 48 11
The University of Texas at San Antonio 46 17
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 45 12
University of Cincinnati 44 14
Grand Valley State University 43 12
Saint Leo University 43 13
University of North Texas 41 21
Troy University 38 12
Colorado Technical University 33 17
Texas State University 31 13
University of North Florida 28 10
Norwich University 27 13