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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#256 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,289
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 19
Hood College
4 Year
Frederick, MD
Hood College, located in Frederick, MD has 19 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,289.
Acceptance Rate 79%
Undergraduates 512 students
Tuition $35,150
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#257 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,289
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 18
Messiah College
4 Year
Mechanicsburg, PA
Messiah College, located in Mechanicsburg, PA has 18 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,289.
Acceptance Rate 79%
Undergraduates 757 students
Tuition $32,240
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#258 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,289
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 15
Louisiana College
4 Year
Pineville, LA
Louisiana College, located in Pineville, LA has 15 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,289.
Acceptance Rate 69%
Undergraduates 198 students
Tuition $15,070
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#259 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,195
Average Debt $16,783
Program Size 898
California State University-Sacramento
4 Year
Sacramento, CA
California State University-Sacramento, located in Sacramento, CA has 898 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,195.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 7,636 students
Tuition $6,872
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#260 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,136
Average Debt $26,899
Program Size 32
West Virginia Wesleyan College
4 Year
Buckhannon, WV
West Virginia Wesleyan College, located in Buckhannon, WV has 32 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,136.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 368 students
Tuition $28,792
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#261 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,108
Average Debt $14,301
Program Size 146
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
4 Year
Tacoma, WA
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus, located in Tacoma, WA has 146 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,108.
Acceptance Rate 83%
Undergraduates 1,675 students
Tuition $11,905
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#262 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,065
Average Debt $21,850
Program Size 296
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI)
4 Year
Indianapolis, IN
Video Rating
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI), located in Indianapolis, IN has 296 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,065.
Acceptance Rate 70%
Undergraduates 6,715 students
Tuition $9,056
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#263 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,048
Average Debt $19,847
Program Size 91
University of Southern Indiana
4 Year
Evansville, IN
University of Southern Indiana, located in Evansville, IN has 91 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,048.
Acceptance Rate 69%
Undergraduates 1,830 students
Tuition $7,178
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#264 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,018
Average Debt $24,416
Program Size 200
Curry College
4 Year
Milton, MA
Curry College, located in Milton, MA has 200 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,018.
Acceptance Rate 88%
Undergraduates 802 students
Tuition $36,765
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#265 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $37,928
Average Debt $22,028
Program Size 166
Rhode Island College
4 Year
Providence, RI
Rhode Island College, located in Providence, RI has 166 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $37,928.
Acceptance Rate 72%
Undergraduates 1,683 students
Tuition $8,197
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#266 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $37,928
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 26
Castleton University
4 Year
Castleton, VT
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N/A
Castleton University, located in Castleton, VT has 26 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $37,928.
Acceptance Rate 97%
Undergraduates 419 students
Tuition $11,282
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#267 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $37,856
Average Debt $36,804
Program Size 108
Baker College
4 Year
Flint, MI
Baker College, located in Flint, MI has 108 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $37,856.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 2,150 students
Tuition N/A
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#268 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $37,856
Average Debt $28,171
Program Size 99
Stephen F Austin State University
4 Year
Nacogdoches, TX
Video Rating
Stephen F Austin State University, located in Nacogdoches, TX has 99 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $37,856.
Acceptance Rate 62%
Undergraduates 2,728 students
Tuition $7,560
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#269 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $37,856
Average Debt $24,473
Program Size 82
Texas Woman's University
4 Year
Denton, TX
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Texas Woman's University, located in Denton, TX has 82 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $37,856.
Acceptance Rate 86%
Undergraduates 3,712 students
Tuition $6,948
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#270 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $37,748
Average Debt $16,472
Program Size 374
San Jose State University
4 Year
San Jose, CA
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San Jose State University, located in San Jose, CA has 374 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $37,748.
Acceptance Rate 55%
Undergraduates 9,128 students
Tuition $7,378
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Other Major Rankings
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