General
Criminal Justice And Fire Protection
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Criminal Justice And Fire Protection.
Entry Level Salary
$40,000
Median Salary
$75,000
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
52.5%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,000,000
Entry (Early)
$40,000
Median (Prime)
$75,000
High (Prime)
$80,000
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-95k
+203k
+243k
$25k / yr
-185k
+113k
+153k
$50k / yr
-275k
+23k
+63k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
28
27
$25k / yr
Never
36
34
$50k / yr
Never
54
45
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-170%
104%
141%
$50k / yr
-126%
11%
29%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate21.9%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Police officers
10.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,275
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$80,000|$76,300
openings
53,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%
Management occupations
3.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$88,506|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$60,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$104,125|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$42,769
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,269|$64,520
openings
7,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.6%
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$34,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,271|$38,390
openings
162,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.4%
Detectives and criminal investigators
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$47,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$96,000|$93,580
openings
7,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.7%
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$40,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$52,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Social workers, all other
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,500
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$49,555|$69,480
openings
7,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%
Correctional officers and jailers
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$44,836
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,994|$57,970
openings
30,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -7.8%
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$25,800
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$110,000|$105,980
openings
10,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.9%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.