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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#121 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $40,448
Average Debt $39,018
Program Size 7
Strayer University-Delaware
4 Year
Newark, DE
Strayer University-Delaware, located in Newark, DE has 7 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $40,448.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 35 students
Tuition $12,975
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#122 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $40,448
Average Debt $39,018
Program Size 2
Strayer University-Maryland
4 Year
Suitland, MD
Strayer University-Maryland, located in Suitland, MD has 2 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $40,448.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 479 students
Tuition $12,975
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#123 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $40,448
Average Debt $39,018
Program Size 2
Strayer University-West Virginia
4 Year
Scott Depot, WV
Strayer University-West Virginia, located in Scott Depot, WV has 2 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $40,448.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 16 students
Tuition $12,975
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#124 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $40,448
Average Debt $39,018
Program Size 1
Strayer University-Arkansas
4 Year
Little Rock, AR
Strayer University-Arkansas, located in Little Rock, AR has 1 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $40,448.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 41 students
Tuition $12,975
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#125 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $40,369
Average Debt $20,904
Program Size 353
Metropolitan State University of Denver
4 Year
Denver, CO
Metropolitan State University of Denver, located in Denver, CO has 353 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $40,369.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 3,515 students
Tuition $6,420
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#126 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $40,329
Average Debt $21,318
Program Size 289
West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU)
4 Year
West Chester, PA
Video Rating
West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU), located in West Chester, PA has 289 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $40,329.
Acceptance Rate 59%
Undergraduates 4,107 students
Tuition $9,462
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#127 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $40,261
Average Debt $12,089
Program Size 3,236
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
4 Year
New York, NY
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, located in New York, NY has 3,236 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $40,261.
Acceptance Rate 37%
Undergraduates 3,509 students
Tuition $6,810
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#128 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $40,253
Average Debt $24,211
Program Size 154
Colorado Mesa University
4 Year
Grand Junction, CO
Colorado Mesa University, located in Grand Junction, CO has 154 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $40,253.
Acceptance Rate 83%
Undergraduates 1,137 students
Tuition $7,474
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#129 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $40,095
Average Debt $26,175
Program Size 37
La Roche College
4 Year
Pittsburgh, PA
La Roche College, located in Pittsburgh, PA has 37 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $40,095.
Acceptance Rate 95%
Undergraduates 365 students
Tuition $26,250
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#130 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $40,095
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 10
Dakota Wesleyan University
4 Year
Mitchell, SD
Dakota Wesleyan University, located in Mitchell, SD has 10 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $40,095.
Acceptance Rate 74%
Undergraduates 238 students
Tuition $24,800
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#131 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $40,017
Average Debt $23,767
Program Size 262
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM)
4 Year
Milwaukee, WI
Video Rating
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), located in Milwaukee, WI has 262 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $40,017.
Acceptance Rate 86%
Undergraduates 5,394 students
Tuition $9,429
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#132 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,909
Average Debt $24,168
Program Size 128
Georgia Gwinnett College
4 Year
Lawrenceville, GA
Georgia Gwinnett College, located in Lawrenceville, GA has 128 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,909.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 1,016 students
Tuition $5,648
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#133 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,860
Average Debt $22,216
Program Size 120
University of North Dakota
4 Year
Grand Forks, ND
University of North Dakota, located in Grand Forks, ND has 120 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,860.
Acceptance Rate 82%
Undergraduates 3,250 students
Tuition $7,965
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#134 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,832
Average Debt $27,695
Program Size 118
University of Michigan-Dearborn
4 Year
Dearborn, MI
University of Michigan-Dearborn, located in Dearborn, MI has 118 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,832.
Acceptance Rate 62%
Undergraduates 2,056 students
Tuition $11,304
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#135 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,832
Average Debt $28,080
Program Size 97
Alvernia University
4 Year
Reading, PA
Alvernia University, located in Reading, PA has 97 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,832.
Acceptance Rate 74%
Undergraduates 651 students
Tuition $31,100
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Other Major Rankings
Best Criminal Justice Programs by State
Most Popular Major Rankings