2027 Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
Criminal Justice Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best criminal justice studies schools.
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Best Schools for Criminal Justice Studies in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall criminal justice studies education in Pennsylvania.
Top Schools in Criminal Justice Studies
No school ranked higher than West Chester University Of Pennsylvania this year for criminal justice studies. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 156 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Students looking for a strong criminal justice studies program will find one at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 105 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $36,959 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Temple University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 152 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $38,612. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Temple University
University Of Scranton is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Scranton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Scranton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of Scranton earn around $32,300 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Scranton graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of Scranton
Immaculata University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Immaculata, Immaculata University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Immaculata University graduates 71% of students within six years. Immaculata University awarded about 15 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Immaculata University generally make around $64,223. Typical student debt for the program is $27,738.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Immaculata University
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 62 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $37,311 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 68 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $37,839. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Desales University landed the #8 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Center Valley. Desales University graduates 72% of students within six years. Desales University awarded about 37 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Desales University generally make around $50,841. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Desales University
Gannon University landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Gannon University awarded about 19 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $39,788. Gannon University graduates carry a median of $24,594 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Gannon University
Mercyhurst College came in at #10 for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 64 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Mercyhurst College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Mercyhurst College earn a median of $38,557 early in their careers. Mercyhurst College graduates carry a median of $19,274 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Mercyhurst College
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the town of California. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 93 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $36,208 early in their careers. Pennsylvania Western University graduates carry a median of $26,966 in student loans.
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Neumann University placed #12 among the best criminal justice studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aston. About 53% of students finish within six years. Neumann University awarded about 16 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Neumann University earn around $41,637 in the first couple years of their career. Neumann University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Bucks County Community College earned the #13 position for criminal justice studies this year. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. There were roughly 34 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Bucks County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $28,719. Typical student debt for the program is $10,169.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Bucks County Community College
Northampton County Area Community College placed #14 among the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Northampton County Area Community College awarded about 35 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $31,430 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,449.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Northampton County Area Community College
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #15 among the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 86 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn around $37,240 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Pennsylvania State University World Campus
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for criminal justice studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of East Stroudsburg. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates 43% of students within six years. About 31 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,206. Students borrow a median of $26,888 to complete this degree.
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Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best criminal justice studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Shippensburg. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 68 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn around $40,025 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Lehigh Carbon Community College awarded about 10 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $33,360 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Lehigh Carbon Community College
Delaware County Community College placed #19 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 18 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Delaware County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $57,464 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,163.
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La Salle University came in at #20 for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at La Salle University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $38,832 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at La Salle University
Seton Hill University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 11 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Seton Hill University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Seton Hill University earn a median of $53,485 early in their careers. Seton Hill University graduates carry a median of $26,556 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Seton Hill University
Kings College landed the #22 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. About 60% of students finish within six years. Kings College awarded about 23 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Kings College earn around $35,761 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington placed #23 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. There were roughly 44 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington generally make around $37,240. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #24 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg graduates 26% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg generally make around $37,240. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg
Point Park University came in at #25 for criminal justice studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Point Park University awarded about 22 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $33,542. Students borrow a median of $29,037 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Point Park University
Rest of the Top 33 Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice studies ranking:
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 33 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
