Law & Justice Degrees in Pennsylvania

Guide to Pennsylvania Law and Justice Degree Programs

Pennsylvania holds a significant position as one of the thirteen original states. Lying at the boundary between the North and the South and the North East and Midwest, the state is rich with history. It also has a distinguished academic history as well. There are over 400 institutions of higher learning to be found within the state’s boundaries. These cover both the public and private realms of education. For those looking for a law and justice degree, there are dozens of options to choose from. The state university system offers many degree levels. Technical schools and community colleges can be found in many parts of the state. Online classes give everyone a chance.

The state of Pennsylvania is both an agricultural and urban powerhouse. Banking and financial services can be found the urban centers. Many Fortune 500 companies make their headquarters at home here. The state’s economy would be the 18th largest in the world if it were an independent nation. The state has had only minimal growth in the past few decades. Rural populations have been shifting to urban areas. The state has access to both the Great Lakes and the Atlantic. This makes it a transportation hub of the region Mining can be found in the southeastern part of the state near West Virginia. How can the Keystone State help you meet your degree dreams?

Pennsylvania Law and Justice Job Outlook and Salary

Pennsylvania can offer qualified candidates a wide range of careers in law and justice. The range is too wide to give a comprehensive overview of each. Let’s examine what a police officer would see in the state to get a reading on what Pennsylvania offers. Starting salaries for new officers run around $27,000 to $29,000 per year. With a few years of experience, an officer can expect to make around $55,000. This runs slightly above the national median salary for this experience level. Now salaries will vary widely from urban areas to small rural communities. Higher wages can be expected near the urban centers of Pittsburg and Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania’s demand for law enforcement officers is projected to grow 5% in the next few years. This is according to the Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information and Analysis. This demand is markedly lower than the expected national average demand of 11%. The state’s population explains this slower pace of growth. Opportunities are more likely in the urban areas along the east side of the state and the northwest corner.