Best colleges for Criminal Justice and Corrections in District of Columbia
Ranked by graduate earnings
George Washington University, American University and Howard University are the top bachelor's Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in District of Columbia by graduate earnings. George Washington University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $51,256, College Scorecard. American University, Howard University and George Washington University award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in District of Columbia: 156, 87 and 69 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 District of Columbia colleges offer Criminal Justice and Corrections and award 417 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Criminal Justice and Corrections program focuses on the various functions carried out by government agencies related to the punishment, treatment, and supervision of individuals convicted of crimes. This program is ideal for students…
Top 5 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,256 | 69 | 84% | $29,789 | $20,500 |
| 2 | American University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,147 | 156 | 75% | $30,225 | $23,250 |
| 3 | Howard University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,801 | 87 | 70% | $48,194 | $26,000 |
| 4 | Trinity Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $47,385 | 10 | 49% | $14,841 | $33,564 |
| 5 | Strayer University - Global Region Washington Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online | $43,405 | 69 | 14% | $18,144 | $56,937 |
Colleges awarding the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in District of Columbia
Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American University Washington Private not-for-profit | 156 | $37,147 |
| 2 | Howard University Washington Private not-for-profit | 87 | $27,801 |
| 3 | George Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit | 69 | $51,256 |
| 4 | University of the District of Columbia Washington Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 5 | Trinity Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit | 10 | $47,385 |
ShowHide the other 2 District of Columbia colleges offering Criminal Justice and Corrections
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strayer University - Global Region (Online) | Washington | Private for-profit | 69 |
| Strayer University - District of Columbia (Online) | Washington | Private for-profit | 12 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 33-3021).
Top skills
What Detectives and Criminal Investigators earn in District of Columbia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in District of Columbia.
Which District of Columbia colleges award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees?+
American University (156 graduates a year), Howard University (87 graduates a year) and George Washington University (69 graduates a year) award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in District of Columbia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 District of Columbia colleges offer Criminal Justice and Corrections.
What is the best college for Criminal Justice and Corrections in District of Columbia?+
By graduate earnings, George Washington University leads among bachelor's Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in District of Columbia, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $51,256, College Scorecard. American University and Howard University follow. By degrees awarded, American University is the largest, with 156 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Criminal Justice and Corrections program in District of Columbia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, George Washington University tops the list at $51,256. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators earn in District of Columbia?+
The average annual wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in District of Columbia is $148,110 (median $160,760), across about 2,980 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Criminal Justice and Corrections program?+
The Criminal Justice and Corrections program focuses on the various functions carried out by government agencies related to the punishment, treatment, and supervision of individuals convicted of crimes. This program is ideal for students…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, monitoring, speaking, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Detectives and Criminal Investigators?+
The national job outlook is about -7.8% growth with around 30,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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