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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#16 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $55,132
Average Debt $18,368
Program Size 14
Broadview University-West Jordan
4 Year
West Jordan, UT
Broadview University-West Jordan, located in West Jordan, UT has 14 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $55,132.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 73 students
Tuition N/A
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#17 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $55,132
Average Debt $18,368
Program Size 4
Broadview University-Boise
4 Year
Meridian, ID
Broadview University-Boise, located in Meridian, ID has 4 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $55,132.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 6 students
Tuition N/A
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#18 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $54,053
Average Debt $24,691
Program Size 114
Central Christian College of Kansas
4 Year
McPherson, KS
Central Christian College of Kansas, located in McPherson, KS has 114 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $54,053.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 163 students
Tuition $14,501
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#19 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $53,647
Average Debt $22,550
Program Size 659
Columbia Southern University
4 Year
Orange Beach, AL
Columbia Southern University, located in Orange Beach, AL has 659 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $53,647.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 5,315 students
Tuition $5,175
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#20 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $53,436
Average Debt $25,947
Program Size 1,277
American Public University System
4 Year
Charles Town, WV
American Public University System, located in Charles Town, WV has 1,277 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $53,436.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 8,519 students
Tuition $6,880
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#21 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $53,358
Average Debt $14,083
Program Size 187
Excelsior College
4 Year
Albany, NY
Excelsior College, located in Albany, NY has 187 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $53,358.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 3,504 students
Tuition N/A
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#22 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $53,358
Average Debt $14,895
Program Size 61
Lynn University
4 Year
Boca Raton, FL
Lynn University, located in Boca Raton, FL has 61 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $53,358.
Acceptance Rate 76%
Undergraduates 856 students
Tuition $35,200
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#23 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $52,733
Average Debt $32,932
Program Size 91
Walden University
4 Year
Minneapolis, MN
Walden University, located in Minneapolis, MN has 91 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $52,733.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 11,871 students
Tuition $12,075
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#24 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $52,464
Average Debt $25,457
Program Size 193
National University
4 Year
La Jolla, CA
National University, located in La Jolla, CA has 193 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $52,464.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 5,223 students
Tuition $12,744
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#25 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $52,107
Average Debt $23,625
Program Size 87
George Washington University (GWU)
4 Year
Washington, DC
Video Rating
George Washington University (GWU), located in Washington, DC has 87 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $52,107.
Acceptance Rate 46%
Undergraduates 8,089 students
Tuition $50,435
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#26 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $50,856
Average Debt $26,608
Program Size 54
Reinhardt University
4 Year
Waleska, GA
Reinhardt University, located in Waleska, GA has 54 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $50,856.
Acceptance Rate 91%
Undergraduates 320 students
Tuition $20,266
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#27 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $50,439
Average Debt $25,538
Program Size 143
Colorado State University Global
4 Year
Aurora, CO
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Colorado State University Global, located in Aurora, CO has 143 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $50,439.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 2,608 students
Tuition N/A
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#28 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $50,022
Average Debt $31,431
Program Size 395
Bethel University
4 Year
McKenzie, TN
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Bethel University, located in McKenzie, TN has 395 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $50,022.
Acceptance Rate 84%
Undergraduates 1,199 students
Tuition $15,714
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#29 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $49,631
Average Debt $18,707
Program Size 69
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
4 Year
Winona, MN
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N/A
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, located in Winona, MN has 69 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $49,631.
Acceptance Rate 78%
Undergraduates 1,633 students
Tuition $31,335
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#30 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $49,019
Average Debt $25,424
Program Size 68
Marymount University (MU)
4 Year
Arlington, VA
Video Rating
Marymount University (MU), located in Arlington, VA has 68 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $49,019.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 969 students
Tuition $28,310
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Other Major Rankings
Best Criminal Justice Programs by State
Most Popular Major Rankings