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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#46 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $45,696
Average Debt $22,165
Program Size 157
Utah Valley University
4 Year
Orem, UT
Utah Valley University, located in Orem, UT has 157 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $45,696.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 3,019 students
Tuition $5,386
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#47 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $45,598
Average Debt $22,910
Program Size 177
Saint Cloud State University
4 Year
Saint Cloud, MN
Saint Cloud State University, located in Saint Cloud, MN has 177 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $45,598.
Acceptance Rate 86%
Undergraduates 2,644 students
Tuition $7,814
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#48 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $45,500
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 14
Thomas More College
4 Year
Crestview Hills, KY
Thomas More College, located in Crestview Hills, KY has 14 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $45,500.
Acceptance Rate 88%
Undergraduates 383 students
Tuition $29,153
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#49 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $45,175
Average Debt $25,000
Program Size 90
American University (AU)
4 Year
Washington, DC
Video Rating
American University (AU), located in Washington, DC has 90 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $45,175.
Acceptance Rate 35%
Undergraduates 3,699 students
Tuition $43,103
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#50 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $44,971
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 57
Anna Maria College
4 Year
Paxton, MA
Anna Maria College, located in Paxton, MA has 57 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $44,971.
Acceptance Rate 80%
Undergraduates 450 students
Tuition $35,074
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#51 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $44,933
Average Debt $23,062
Program Size 79
University of Alaska Anchorage
4 Year
Anchorage, AK
University of Alaska Anchorage, located in Anchorage, AK has 79 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $44,933.
Acceptance Rate 71%
Undergraduates 1,402 students
Tuition $5,545
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#52 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $44,808
Average Debt $20,710
Program Size 231
Minnesota State University-Mankato
4 Year
Mankato, MN
Video Rating
N/A
Minnesota State University-Mankato, located in Mankato, MN has 231 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $44,808.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 2,940 students
Tuition $7,836
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#53 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $44,595
Average Debt $21,219
Program Size 630
Southern New Hampshire University
4 Year
Manchester, NH
Southern New Hampshire University, located in Manchester, NH has 630 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $44,595.
Acceptance Rate 92%
Undergraduates 11,527 students
Tuition $30,386
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#54 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $44,356
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 19
University of Minnesota-Crookston
4 Year
Crookston, MN
University of Minnesota-Crookston, located in Crookston, MN has 19 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $44,356.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 418 students
Tuition $11,646
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#55 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $44,276
Average Debt $26,000
Program Size 174
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
4 Year
Oshkosh, WI
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, located in Oshkosh, WI has 174 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $44,276.
Acceptance Rate 81%
Undergraduates 2,368 students
Tuition $7,487
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#56 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $44,170
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 55
Endicott College
4 Year
Beverly, MA
Endicott College, located in Beverly, MA has 55 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $44,170.
Acceptance Rate 73%
Undergraduates 1,102 students
Tuition $30,492
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#57 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $44,170
Average Debt $21,488
Program Size 35
North Park University
4 Year
Chicago, IL
North Park University, located in Chicago, IL has 35 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $44,170.
Acceptance Rate 49%
Undergraduates 805 students
Tuition $25,860
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#58 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $44,170
Average Debt $31,000
Program Size 31
Granite State College
4 Year
Concord, NH
Granite State College, located in Concord, NH has 31 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $44,170.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 477 students
Tuition $7,257
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#59 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $44,021
Average Debt $23,250
Program Size 100
Winona State University
4 Year
Winona, MN
Winona State University, located in Winona, MN has 100 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $44,021.
Acceptance Rate 62%
Undergraduates 1,841 students
Tuition $9,047
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#60 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $43,674
Average Debt $22,881
Program Size 96
Ashland University
4 Year
Ashland, OH
Ashland University, located in Ashland, OH has 96 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $43,674.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 1,261 students
Tuition $20,242
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Other Major Rankings
Best Criminal Justice Programs by State
Most Popular Major Rankings