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).

Show Less

Sort By:

#76 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,479
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 104
Utica College
4 Year
Utica, NY
Utica College, located in Utica, NY has 104 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,479.
Acceptance Rate 83%
Undergraduates 1,407 students
Tuition $34,466
0
4.0
My GPA
#77 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,458
Average Debt $17,338
Program Size 491
California State University-East Bay
4 Year
Hayward, CA
California State University-East Bay, located in Hayward, CA has 491 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,458.
Acceptance Rate 74%
Undergraduates 4,631 students
Tuition $6,564
0
4.0
My GPA
#78 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,235
Average Debt $21,838
Program Size 73
California Lutheran University (CLU)
4 Year
Thousand Oaks, CA
Video Rating
California Lutheran University (CLU), located in Thousand Oaks, CA has 73 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,235.
Acceptance Rate 62%
Undergraduates 1,282 students
Tuition $38,430
0
4.0
My GPA
#79 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,123
Average Debt $21,265
Program Size 419
Westfield State University
4 Year
Westfield, MA
Westfield State University, located in Westfield, MA has 419 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,123.
Acceptance Rate 80%
Undergraduates 1,389 students
Tuition $8,815
0
4.0
My GPA
#80 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $41,937
Average Debt $24,418
Program Size 69
Saint Louis University (SLU)
4 Year
Saint Louis, MO
Video Rating
Saint Louis University (SLU), located in Saint Louis, MO has 69 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $41,937.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 3,267 students
Tuition $39,226
0
4.0
My GPA
#81 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $41,937
Average Debt $31,067
Program Size 36
Baldwin Wallace University
4 Year
Berea, OH
Baldwin Wallace University, located in Berea, OH has 36 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $41,937.
Acceptance Rate 60%
Undergraduates 1,011 students
Tuition $29,908
0
4.0
My GPA
#82 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $41,937
Average Debt $19,800
Program Size 26
St. Joseph's College-New York
4 Year
Brooklyn, NY
St. Joseph's College-New York, located in Brooklyn, NY has 26 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $41,937.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 299 students
Tuition $24,113
0
4.0
My GPA
#83 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $41,912
Average Debt $18,570
Program Size 326
Central Washington University
4 Year
Ellensburg, WA
Central Washington University, located in Ellensburg, WA has 326 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $41,912.
Acceptance Rate 82%
Undergraduates 2,803 students
Tuition $8,688
0
4.0
My GPA
#84 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $41,789
Average Debt $31,000
Program Size 125
California Baptist University (CBU)
4 Year
Riverside, CA
Video Rating
California Baptist University (CBU), located in Riverside, CA has 125 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $41,789.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 2,348 students
Tuition $30,384
0
4.0
My GPA
#85 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $41,725
Average Debt $25,862
Program Size 51
Grand View University
4 Year
Des Moines, IA
Grand View University, located in Des Moines, IA has 51 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $41,725.
Acceptance Rate 98%
Undergraduates 542 students
Tuition $24,614
0
4.0
My GPA
#86 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $41,601
Average Debt $28,716
Program Size 944
Saint Leo University
4 Year
Saint Leo, FL
Saint Leo University, located in Saint Leo, FL has 944 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $41,601.
Acceptance Rate 73%
Undergraduates 3,836 students
Tuition $20,830
0
4.0
My GPA
#87 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $41,598
Average Debt $35,166
Program Size 1,306
Ashford University
4 Year
San Diego, CA
Ashford University, located in San Diego, CA has 1,306 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $41,598.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 11,023 students
Tuition $10,720
0
4.0
My GPA
#88 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $41,565
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 109
Washburn University
4 Year
Topeka, KS
Washburn University, located in Topeka, KS has 109 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $41,565.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 1,050 students
Tuition $6,350
0
4.0
My GPA
#89 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $41,565
Average Debt $28,000
Program Size 40
New England College
4 Year
Henniker, NH
New England College, located in Henniker, NH has 40 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $41,565.
Acceptance Rate 98%
Undergraduates 569 students
Tuition $34,606
0
4.0
My GPA
#90 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $41,426
Average Debt $20,704
Program Size 94
Minnesota State University Moorhead
4 Year
Moorhead, MN
Minnesota State University Moorhead, located in Moorhead, MN has 94 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $41,426.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 1,369 students
Tuition $8,096
0
4.0
My GPA
Other Major Rankings
Best Criminal Justice Programs by State
Most Popular Major Rankings