Criminal Justice & Corrections is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 638 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for criminal justice & corrections students pursuing a degree.
No school ranked higher than San Jose State University this year for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 206 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from San Jose State University
Students looking for a strong criminal justice & corrections program will find one at George Washington University, which ranked #2. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 69 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from George Washington University earn around $51,256 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for George Washington University
Northeastern University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. Northeastern University awarded about 103 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Northeastern University earn around $51,363 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $22,809 in student loans.
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George Mason University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 361 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $43,612 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,761.
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A rank of #5 makes Iowa State University one of the top schools for criminal justice & corrections. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Iowa State University awarded about 84 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $41,624 in their early career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Iowa State University
California State University East Bay placed #6 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 117 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $45,387 early in their careers. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at California State University East Bay
University Of Arizona came in at #7 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 173 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Arizona earn around $50,834 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for University Of Arizona
Sonoma State University earned the #8 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Sonoma State University earn around $38,444 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Sonoma State University
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #9 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 176 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $34,611 in the first couple years of their career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $22,431 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Rutgers University New Brunswick
The College Of New Jersey placed #10 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Ewing. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 61 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from The College Of New Jersey earn around $36,070 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from The College Of New Jersey
California State University Sacramento placed #11 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 469 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $38,606 early in their careers. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $13,745 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from California State University Sacramento
San Francisco State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 170 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $42,211. Students borrow a median of $13,518 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at San Francisco State University
High Point University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Typical student debt for the program is $23,785.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at High Point University
American University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 76% of students finish within six years. American University awarded about 129 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from American University earn around $37,147 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at American University
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #15 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 104 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $35,572. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,464 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Indiana University Bloomington
San Diego State University landed the #16 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego State University awarded about 547 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from San Diego State University earn around $33,261 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $12,998 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from San Diego State University
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #17 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 32 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $45,709 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,694 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Saint Louis University Main Campus
Point Loma Nazarene University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $45,022 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Point Loma Nazarene University
Arizona State University placed #19 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 330 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Arizona State University earn around $42,187 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Arizona State University
California State University Long Beach landed the #20 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Long Beach awarded about 272 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $34,247 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for California State University Long Beach
Illinois State University earned the #21 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 150 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $37,584 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,531 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Illinois State University
Westfield State University earned the #22 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 110 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Westfield State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $42,228. Westfield State University graduates carry a median of $24,422 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Westfield State University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. About 137 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Florida State University came in at #24 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 540 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $34,922 early in their careers. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $21,170 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Florida State University
California State University Fullerton ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 298 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $34,570 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at California State University Fullerton
Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 638 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
