2024 Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in California

We rigorously analyzed earnings after graduation, student loan debt, and a host of other variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Criminal Justice programs in California. We looked at 41 programs to put our Criminal Justice rankings together to help you find the absolute best schools for Criminal Justice in California. ... Read More

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 in California. Earnings are by no means the most important mark of success for a Criminal Justice undergraduate program, but it is a variable that is widely used across universities and colleges in California. In addition to salary, we also provide average student loans metric and other admissions data points.

In addition, if you scroll all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Criminal Justice degree in California.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Criminal Justice Majors in California

What is the best university for majoring in Criminal Justice in California?

National University is the best university for majoring in Criminal Justice based on earnings data. On average, graduates from National University earned an average of $52,464 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Criminal Justice in California?

California State University-Dominguez Hills is the cheapest university for majoring in Criminal Justice based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $6,213 to attend California State University-Dominguez Hills.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Criminal Justice in California?

California Lutheran University (CLU) is the most expensive university for majoring in Criminal Justice based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $38,430 to attend California Lutheran University (CLU).

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#16 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $34,872
Average Debt $14,366
Program Size 696
California State University-Fullerton (CSUF)
4 Year
Fullerton, CA
Video Rating
California State University-Fullerton (CSUF), located in Fullerton, CA has 696 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $34,872.
Acceptance Rate 42%
Undergraduates 10,530 students
Tuition $6,437
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#17 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $34,420
Average Debt $40,005
Program Size 31
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses
4 Year
Stockton, CA
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses, located in Stockton, CA has 31 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $34,420.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 144 students
Tuition $13,212
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4.0
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#18 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $33,891
Average Debt $15,083
Program Size 481
California State University-Dominguez Hills
4 Year
Carson, CA
Video Rating
California State University-Dominguez Hills, located in Carson, CA has 481 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $33,891.
Acceptance Rate 53%
Undergraduates 3,807 students
Tuition $6,213
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4.0
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#19 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $33,874
Average Debt $36,212
Program Size 20
Argosy University-Inland Empire
4 Year
Ontario, CA
Argosy University-Inland Empire, located in Ontario, CA has 20 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $33,874.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 103 students
Tuition $13,560
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4.0
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#20 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $33,874
Average Debt $36,212
Program Size 17
Argosy University-Los Angeles
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
Argosy University-Los Angeles, located in Los Angeles, CA has 17 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $33,874.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 99 students
Tuition $13,560
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4.0
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#21 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $33,874
Average Debt $36,212
Program Size 14
Argosy University-San Diego
4 Year
San Diego, CA
Argosy University-San Diego, located in San Diego, CA has 14 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $33,874.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 93 students
Tuition $13,560
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4.0
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#22 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $33,874
Average Debt $36,212
Program Size 11
Argosy University-Orange County
4 Year
Orange, CA
Argosy University-Orange County, located in Orange, CA has 11 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $33,874.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 103 students
Tuition $13,560
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4.0
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#23 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $33,874
Average Debt $36,212
Program Size 7
Argosy University-San Francisco Bay Area
4 Year
Alameda, CA
Argosy University-San Francisco Bay Area, located in Alameda, CA has 7 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $33,874.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 73 students
Tuition $13,560
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4.0
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#24 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $33,586
Average Debt $15,518
Program Size 331
California State University-Chico
4 Year
Chico, CA
California State University-Chico, located in Chico, CA has 331 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $33,586.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 4,093 students
Tuition $7,022
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4.0
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#25 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $33,565
Average Debt $14,307
Program Size 322
California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)
4 Year
Long Beach, CA
Video Rating
California State University-Long Beach (CSULB), located in Long Beach, CA has 322 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $33,565.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 10,260 students
Tuition $6,452
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4.0
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#26 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $33,128
Average Debt $16,497
Program Size 535
California State University-San Bernardino
4 Year
San Bernardino, CA
California State University-San Bernardino, located in San Bernardino, CA has 535 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $33,128.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 4,571 students
Tuition $6,577
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4.0
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#27 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $32,231
Average Debt $13,858
Program Size 738
San Diego State University (SDSU)
4 Year
San Diego, CA
Video Rating
San Diego State University (SDSU), located in San Diego, CA has 738 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $32,231.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 8,923 students
Tuition $6,976
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#28 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $30,926
Average Debt $14,633
Program Size 240
California State University-Bakersfield
4 Year
Bakersfield, CA
California State University-Bakersfield, located in Bakersfield, CA has 240 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $30,926.
Acceptance Rate 69%
Undergraduates 1,904 students
Tuition $6,811
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4.0
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#29 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $30,119
Average Debt $31,000
Program Size 124
La Sierra University
4 Year
Riverside, CA
La Sierra University, located in Riverside, CA has 124 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $30,119.
Acceptance Rate 45%
Undergraduates 384 students
Tuition $30,471
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4.0
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#30 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $29,685
Average Debt $36,543
Program Size 31
Santa Barbara Business College-Bakersfield
4 Year
Bakersfield, CA
Santa Barbara Business College-Bakersfield, located in Bakersfield, CA has 31 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $29,685.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 23 students
Tuition N/A
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Other Major Rankings
Best Criminal Justice Programs by State
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