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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#211 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,721
Average Debt $25,550
Program Size 300
Michigan State University (MSU)
4 Year
East Lansing, MI
Video Rating
Michigan State University (MSU), located in East Lansing, MI has 300 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,721.
Acceptance Rate 66%
Undergraduates 12,495 students
Tuition $13,560
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#212 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,681
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 66
Concordia University-Wisconsin
4 Year
Mequon, WI
Concordia University-Wisconsin, located in Mequon, WI has 66 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,681.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 1,553 students
Tuition $27,100
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#213 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,681
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 18
Concordia University-Ann Arbor
4 Year
Ann Arbor, MI
Concordia University-Ann Arbor, located in Ann Arbor, MI has 18 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,681.
Acceptance Rate 70%
Undergraduates 156 students
Tuition $26,910
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#214 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,649
Average Debt $22,929
Program Size 146
Northern Michigan University
4 Year
Marquette, MI
Northern Michigan University, located in Marquette, MI has 146 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,649.
Acceptance Rate 70%
Undergraduates 1,405 students
Tuition $9,620
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#215 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,609
Average Debt $16,436
Program Size 423
San Francisco State University
4 Year
San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco State University, located in San Francisco, CA has 423 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,609.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 7,146 students
Tuition $6,476
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4.0
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#216 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,548
Average Debt $19,074
Program Size 246
University of North Georgia
4 Year
Dahlonega, GA
University of North Georgia, located in Dahlonega, GA has 246 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,548.
Acceptance Rate 96%
Undergraduates 1,958 students
Tuition $4,403
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#217 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,529
Average Debt $24,646
Program Size 120
Oakland University
4 Year
Rochester Hills, MI
Oakland University, located in Rochester Hills, MI has 120 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,529.
Acceptance Rate 80%
Undergraduates 4,369 students
Tuition $11,344
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#218 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,529
Average Debt $31,000
Program Size 92
SUNY Morrisville
4 Year
Morrisville, NY
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N/A
SUNY Morrisville , located in Morrisville, NY has 92 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,529.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 215 students
Tuition N/A
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#219 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,505
Average Debt $28,419
Program Size 426
Grand Canyon University (GCU)
4 Year
Phoenix, AZ
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Grand Canyon University (GCU), located in Phoenix, AZ has 426 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,505.
Acceptance Rate 43%
Undergraduates 18,315 students
Tuition $17,050
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#220 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,447
Average Debt $22,919
Program Size 462
University of Houston-Downtown
4 Year
Houston, TX
University of Houston-Downtown, located in Houston, TX has 462 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,447.
Acceptance Rate 78%
Undergraduates 3,159 students
Tuition $5,780
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#221 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,409
Average Debt $21,151
Program Size 142
Aurora University
4 Year
Aurora, IL
Aurora University, located in Aurora, IL has 142 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,409.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 1,757 students
Tuition $22,080
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#222 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,402
Average Debt $21,352
Program Size 316
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
4 Year
Platteville, WI
University of Wisconsin-Platteville, located in Platteville, WI has 316 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,402.
Acceptance Rate 94%
Undergraduates 1,592 students
Tuition $7,488
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#223 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,391
Average Debt $35,505
Program Size 697
Kaplan University-Davenport Campus
4 Year
Davenport, IA
Kaplan University-Davenport Campus, located in Davenport, IA has 697 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,391.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 6,399 students
Tuition $14,241
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#224 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,391
Average Debt $35,505
Program Size 32
Kaplan University-Des Moines Campus
4 Year
Urbandale, IA
Kaplan University-Des Moines Campus, located in Urbandale, IA has 32 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,391.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 151 students
Tuition N/A
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#225 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,391
Average Debt $35,505
Program Size 15
Kaplan University-Maine Campus
4 Year
S Portland, ME
Kaplan University-Maine Campus, located in S Portland, ME has 15 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,391.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 150 students
Tuition N/A
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Other Major Rankings
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