2027 Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Criminal Justice Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their criminal justice studies programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 195 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for criminal justice studies students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Criminal Justice Studies in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall criminal justice studies education in the Southeast Region.
Top Schools in Criminal Justice Studies
Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 school for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 994 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $69,126 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
Students looking for a strong criminal justice studies program will find one at George Mason University, which ranked #2. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 29 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $49,815 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,761.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from George Mason University
High Point University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at High Point University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. High Point University graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans.
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Florida State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 628 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $46,245 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,170.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Florida State University
Appalachian State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 120 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $35,796 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Appalachian State University
Nova Southeastern University landed the #6 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 83 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $71,836 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Nova Southeastern University
Western Carolina University earned the #7 position for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. Western Carolina University awarded about 119 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $38,682 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,461.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Western Carolina University
Florida International University landed the #8 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. Florida International University awarded about 441 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $42,215 in their early career. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $18,623 in student loans.
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University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #9 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 167 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $36,155 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #10 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 107 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $40,079. Students borrow a median of $21,660 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Florida Gulf Coast University
University Of Central Florida came in at #11 for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Central Florida awarded about 526 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $41,273. Students borrow a median of $21,731 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from University Of Central Florida
Florida Atlantic University placed #12 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 324 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Florida Atlantic University earn around $41,963 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Florida Atlantic University
University Of North Florida earned the #13 position for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of North Florida awarded about 140 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $44,450 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,375.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at University Of North Florida
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 134 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Chattahoochee Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete this degree.
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Indian River State College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 64 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Indian River State College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $51,825 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,176.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Indian River State College
University Of North Georgia landed the #16 spot for criminal justice studies this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. University Of North Georgia awarded about 116 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $41,598 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,363.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at University Of North Georgia
Roanoke College came in at #17 for criminal justice studies this year. Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Roanoke College awarded about 22 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $33,725 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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University Of Arkansas came in at #18 for criminal justice studies this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. University Of Arkansas graduates 70% of students within six years. About 114 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $38,083 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,385 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of Arkansas
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 50 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $37,952 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,093.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Middle Tennessee State University
Radford University earned the #20 position for criminal justice studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Radford. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 81 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Radford University earn around $35,935 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Radford University
American Public University System ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. American Public University System awarded about 751 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $62,012 early in their careers. American Public University System graduates carry a median of $21,243 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at American Public University System
Kennesaw State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 197 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Kennesaw State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $39,566. Kennesaw State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Kennesaw State University
Longwood University came in at #23 for criminal justice studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Farmville. About 61% of students finish within six years. Longwood University awarded about 38 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Longwood University earn around $36,254 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,375.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Longwood University
Liberty University placed #24 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 1,252 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $49,329 in their early career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $29,323 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Liberty University
University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #25 position for criminal justice studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Hattiesburg. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 48 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Mississippi in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $36,315 early in their careers. University Of Southern Mississippi graduates carry a median of $21,125 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for University Of Southern Mississippi
Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for criminal justice studies this year:
Honorable Mentions
These schools earned honorable mentions for criminal justice studies:
- #51 — Lenoir Community College · Kinston, NC
- #52 — Vance Granville Community College · Henderson, NC
- #53 — Troy University · Troy, AL
- #54 — Rowan Cabarrus Community College · Salisbury, NC
- #55 — Virginia Wesleyan College · Virginia Beach, VA
- #56 — Stanly Community College · Albemarle, NC
- #57 — Bethel University Tennessee · McKenzie, TN
- #58 — Montgomery Community College · Troy, NC
- #59 — Wilkes Community College · Wilkesboro, NC
- #60 — Columbus State University · Columbus, GA
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 195 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.
