2024 Best Colleges for Criminal Justice

If you’re searching for the best colleges and universities for Criminal Justice, you’re in the right place. Below is a list of all universities in the US offering a Criminal Justice degree or major, along with earnings after graduation, average student loan debt, acceptance rate and more. Read More

We rigorously analyzed a host of variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Criminal Justice programs in America. The list includes 993 programs and you can sort by average salary, debt, acceptance rate and more to hone in on the the best programs for you.

If you’re still wondering whether Criminal Justice is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Criminal Justice: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Criminal Justice. Please note that earnings are one metric of success that can be used to judge a Criminal Justice program, but are by no means the best or only option. However, because this variable is provided by the vast majority of universities offering Criminal Justice we used it as the primary method or ordering the best universities for Criminal Justice.

By scrolling all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Criminal Justice in America.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Criminal Justice Majors and Degrees

What is the best university for majoring in Criminal Justice?

Union Institute & University is the best university for majoring in Criminal Justice based on earnings data. On average, graduates from Union Institute & University earned an average of $117,766 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Criminal Justice?

Aspen University is the cheapest university for majoring in Criminal Justice based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $3,750 to attend Aspen University.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Criminal Justice?

George Washington University (GWU) is the most expensive university for majoring in Criminal Justice based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $50,435 to attend George Washington University (GWU).

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#151 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,618
Average Debt $24,437
Program Size 119
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
4 Year
Eau Claire, WI
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, located in Eau Claire, WI has 119 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,618.
Acceptance Rate 85%
Undergraduates 2,131 students
Tuition $8,822
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#152 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,535
Average Debt $18,370
Program Size 327
Illinois State University
4 Year
Normal, IL
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Illinois State University, located in Normal, IL has 327 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,535.
Acceptance Rate 88%
Undergraduates 5,164 students
Tuition $13,666
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#153 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,489
Average Debt $21,510
Program Size 357
Washington State University (WSU)
4 Year
Pullman, WA
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Washington State University (WSU), located in Pullman, WA has 357 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,489.
Acceptance Rate 80%
Undergraduates 7,038 students
Tuition $11,967
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#154 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,489
Average Debt $20,808
Program Size 105
North Dakota State University-Main Campus
4 Year
Fargo, ND
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North Dakota State University-Main Campus, located in Fargo, ND has 105 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,489.
Acceptance Rate 94%
Undergraduates 2,916 students
Tuition $8,098
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#155 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,416
Average Debt $25,000
Program Size 196
The Citadel - The Military College of South Carolina
4 Year
Charleston, SC
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The Citadel - The Military College of South Carolina, located in Charleston, SC has 196 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,416.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 913 students
Tuition $11,364
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#156 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,369
Average Debt $22,044
Program Size 141
Bowie State University
4 Year
Bowie, MD
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Bowie State University, located in Bowie, MD has 141 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,369.
Acceptance Rate 57%
Undergraduates 1,034 students
Tuition $7,660
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#157 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,369
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 127
Iona College
4 Year
New Rochelle, NY
Iona College, located in New Rochelle, NY has 127 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,369.
Acceptance Rate 91%
Undergraduates 1,095 students
Tuition $35,324
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#158 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,369
Average Debt $23,202
Program Size 117
Frostburg State University
4 Year
Frostburg, MD
Frostburg State University, located in Frostburg, MD has 117 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,369.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 1,340 students
Tuition $8,488
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#159 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,369
Average Debt $24,680
Program Size 73
Peru State College
4 Year
Peru, NE
Peru State College, located in Peru, NE has 73 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,369.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 479 students
Tuition $6,816
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#160 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,369
Average Debt $31,577
Program Size 65
Marian University
4 Year
Fond Du Lac, WI
Marian University, located in Fond Du Lac, WI has 65 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,369.
Acceptance Rate 84%
Undergraduates 536 students
Tuition $27,210
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#161 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,369
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 45
Loras College
4 Year
Dubuque, IA
Loras College, located in Dubuque, IA has 45 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,369.
Acceptance Rate 95%
Undergraduates 353 students
Tuition $30,628
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#162 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,369
Average Debt $22,823
Program Size 43
Elmhurst College
4 Year
Elmhurst, IL
Elmhurst College, located in Elmhurst, IL has 43 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,369.
Acceptance Rate 55%
Undergraduates 915 students
Tuition $34,450
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#163 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,369
Average Debt $20,899
Program Size 37
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
4 Year
Lincoln, NE
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, located in Lincoln, NE has 37 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,369.
Acceptance Rate 76%
Undergraduates 5,227 students
Tuition $8,367
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#164 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,369
Average Debt $22,950
Program Size 33
Mississippi College
4 Year
Clinton, MS
Mississippi College, located in Clinton, MS has 33 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,369.
Acceptance Rate 82%
Undergraduates 1,387 students
Tuition $16,064
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#165 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,369
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 10
Hamline University
4 Year
Saint Paul, MN
Hamline University, located in Saint Paul, MN has 10 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,369.
Acceptance Rate 72%
Undergraduates 940 students
Tuition $37,886
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Other Major Rankings
Best Criminal Justice Programs by State
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