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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#31 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $48,823
Average Debt $26,832
Program Size 112
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
4 Year
Norman, OK
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus, located in Norman, OK has 112 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $48,823.
Acceptance Rate 78%
Undergraduates 6,162 students
Tuition $10,090
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#32 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $48,432
Average Debt $24,438
Program Size 92
Southwestern College
4 Year
Winfield, KS
Southwestern College, located in Winfield, KS has 92 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $48,432.
Acceptance Rate 91%
Undergraduates 527 students
Tuition $25,946
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#33 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $48,198
Average Debt $21,096
Program Size 109
Northeastern University (NU)
4 Year
Boston, MA
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Northeastern University (NU), located in Boston, MA has 109 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $48,198.
Acceptance Rate 28%
Undergraduates 6,575 students
Tuition $45,530
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#34 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $47,729
Average Debt $19,332
Program Size 219
Columbia College
4 Year
Columbia, SC
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Columbia College, located in Columbia, SC has 219 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $47,729.
Acceptance Rate 89%
Undergraduates 404 students
Tuition $28,100
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#35 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $47,473
Average Debt $18,462
Program Size 221
Worcester State University
4 Year
Worcester, MA
Worcester State University, located in Worcester, MA has 221 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $47,473.
Acceptance Rate 69%
Undergraduates 1,301 students
Tuition $8,857
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#36 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $47,260
Average Debt $25,000
Program Size 54
University of Scranton
4 Year
Scranton, PA
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University of Scranton, located in Scranton, PA has 54 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $47,260.
Acceptance Rate 72%
Undergraduates 1,434 students
Tuition $41,044
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#37 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $46,726
Average Debt $24,711
Program Size 775
University of Maryland-University College
4 Year
Adelphi, MD
University of Maryland-University College, located in Adelphi, MD has 775 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $46,726.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 9,690 students
Tuition $7,056
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#38 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $46,478
Average Debt $22,273
Program Size 94
Texas Christian University (TCU)
4 Year
Fort Worth, TX
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Texas Christian University (TCU), located in Fort Worth, TX has 94 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $46,478.
Acceptance Rate 43%
Undergraduates 2,682 students
Tuition $40,720
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#39 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $46,478
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 70
Franklin Pierce University
4 Year
Rindge, NH
Franklin Pierce University, located in Rindge, NH has 70 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $46,478.
Acceptance Rate 80%
Undergraduates 545 students
Tuition $33,320
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#40 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $46,478
Average Debt $22,280
Program Size 67
Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP)
4 Year
Saint Paul, MN
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Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP), located in Saint Paul, MN has 67 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $46,478.
Acceptance Rate 55%
Undergraduates 1,362 students
Tuition $20,750
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#41 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $46,087
Average Debt $19,162
Program Size 179
Wayland Baptist University
4 Year
Plainview, TX
Wayland Baptist University, located in Plainview, TX has 179 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $46,087.
Acceptance Rate 99%
Undergraduates 1,487 students
Tuition $13,680
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#42 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $46,087
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 47
Widener University
4 Year
Chester, PA
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Widener University, located in Chester, PA has 47 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $46,087.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 1,509 students
Tuition $41,224
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#43 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $46,087
Average Debt $39,200
Program Size 29
Thomas University
4 Year
Thomasville, GA
Thomas University, located in Thomasville, GA has 29 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $46,087.
Acceptance Rate 43%
Undergraduates 285 students
Tuition $16,400
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#44 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $46,087
Average Debt $41,616
Program Size 21
Hodges University
4 Year
Naples, FL
Hodges University, located in Naples, FL has 21 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $46,087.
Acceptance Rate 94%
Undergraduates 295 students
Tuition $13,220
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#45 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $45,696
Average Debt $33,117
Program Size 213
Grantham University
4 Year
Lenexa, KS
Grantham University, located in Lenexa, KS has 213 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $45,696.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 1,279 students
Tuition $6,500
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Other Major Rankings
Best Criminal Justice Programs by State
Most Popular Major Rankings