Criminal Justice vs Political Science Degree: Which Has Better Career Outcomes?

Choosing between Criminal Justice and Political Science is one of the most common dilemmas for incoming college students. Both are solid degrees, but they lead to very different career paths and salary outcomes. Let's break down the data.

Criminal Justice vs Political Science: Salary at Every Career Stage

Career Stage	Criminal Justice	Political Science
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$42,000	$45,000
Mid-Career (5-10 years)	$60,000	$70,000
Senior Level	$85,000+	$100,000+

Job Growth and Demand

Criminal Justice has projected job growth of 3% through 2032. Direct path to law enforcement, corrections, and federal agencies like FBI/DEA.

Political Science has projected job growth of 5% through 2032. Better preparation for law school, policy roles, and government leadership.

Which Degree Has Better ROI?

Political science graduates earn more on average because the degree leads to higher-paying sectors like law, consulting, and policy. Criminal justice is more vocational — great if you want to be an agent or officer, but the ceiling is lower without grad school.

The real answer depends on your specific school and what you pay. Use Ask Kinsley's Criminal Justice rankings and Political Science rankings to compare Value Scores at schools you're considering.

The Bottom Line: Criminal Justice vs Political Science

Both degrees can lead to a successful career. The best choice depends on your interests, risk tolerance, and career goals. Whatever you choose, attend the most affordable school that offers a strong program in your field — the school's price tag matters as much as the major itself.

Compare actual salary data and costs at askkinsley.com.