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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#61 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $43,658
Average Debt $18,698
Program Size 707
George Mason University
4 Year
Fairfax, VA
Video Rating
George Mason University, located in Fairfax, VA has 707 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $43,658.
Acceptance Rate 69%
Undergraduates 8,461 students
Tuition $10,952
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#62 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $43,485
Average Debt $19,546
Program Size 332
Metropolitan State University
4 Year
Saint Paul, MN
Metropolitan State University, located in Saint Paul, MN has 332 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $43,485.
Acceptance Rate 100%
Undergraduates 2,244 students
Tuition $7,566
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#63 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $43,426
Average Debt $29,963
Program Size 65
Auburn University at Montgomery
4 Year
Montgomery, AL
Auburn University at Montgomery, located in Montgomery, AL has 65 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $43,426.
Acceptance Rate 79%
Undergraduates 884 students
Tuition $9,350
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#64 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $43,240
Average Debt $19,818
Program Size 301
Lewis University
4 Year
Romeoville, IL
Lewis University, located in Romeoville, IL has 301 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $43,240.
Acceptance Rate 62%
Undergraduates 1,797 students
Tuition $29,040
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#65 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $43,240
Average Debt $23,796
Program Size 76
DeSales University
4 Year
Center Valley, PA
DeSales University, located in Center Valley, PA has 76 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $43,240.
Acceptance Rate 78%
Undergraduates 802 students
Tuition $33,350
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#66 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $43,240
Average Debt $23,250
Program Size 47
Canisius College
4 Year
Buffalo, NY
Canisius College, located in Buffalo, NY has 47 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $43,240.
Acceptance Rate 87%
Undergraduates 1,119 students
Tuition $34,690
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#67 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $43,054
Average Debt $22,289
Program Size 510
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
4 Year
Lowell, MA
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University of Massachusetts-Lowell, located in Lowell, MA has 510 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $43,054.
Acceptance Rate 57%
Undergraduates 3,688 students
Tuition $13,427
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#68 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,970
Average Debt $23,997
Program Size 280
University of Massachusetts-Boston
4 Year
Boston, MA
University of Massachusetts-Boston, located in Boston, MA has 280 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,970.
Acceptance Rate 69%
Undergraduates 3,728 students
Tuition $12,682
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#69 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,712
Average Debt $30,516
Program Size 101
Capella University
4 Year
Minneapolis, MN
Capella University, located in Minneapolis, MN has 101 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,712.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 8,000 students
Tuition $13,176
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#70 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,682
Average Debt $22,814
Program Size 236
Norwich University
4 Year
Northfield, VT
Norwich University, located in Northfield, VT has 236 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,682.
Acceptance Rate 57%
Undergraduates 1,167 students
Tuition $36,092
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#71 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,682
Average Debt $19,192
Program Size 146
Governors State University
4 Year
University Park, IL
Governors State University, located in University Park, IL has 146 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,682.
Acceptance Rate 39%
Undergraduates 1,614 students
Tuition $10,246
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#72 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,682
Average Debt $35,500
Program Size 35
Regent University
4 Year
Virginia Beach, VA
Regent University, located in Virginia Beach, VA has 35 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,682.
Acceptance Rate 84%
Undergraduates 1,786 students
Tuition $16,478
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#73 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,682
Average Debt $31,973
Program Size 32
Mid-America Christian University
4 Year
Oklahoma City, OK
Mid-America Christian University, located in Oklahoma City, OK has 32 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,682.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 569 students
Tuition $16,798
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#74 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,682
Average Debt $32,451
Program Size 32
Franklin University
4 Year
Columbus, OH
Franklin University, located in Columbus, OH has 32 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,682.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 1,598 students
Tuition $11,641
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#75 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,495
Average Debt $19,622
Program Size 129
Bemidji State University
4 Year
Bemidji, MN
Bemidji State University, located in Bemidji, MN has 129 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,495.
Acceptance Rate 94%
Undergraduates 1,022 students
Tuition $8,366
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Other Major Rankings
Best Criminal Justice Programs by State
Most Popular Major Rankings