2027 Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Kentucky
Criminal Justice Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best criminal justice studies schools.
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Best Schools for Criminal Justice Studies in Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall criminal justice studies education in Kentucky.
Top Schools in Criminal Justice Studies
University Of The Cumberlands is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in criminal justice studies. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 75 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of The Cumberlands in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $43,972 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong criminal justice studies program will find one at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #2. This large public university is located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 52 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $35,724. Northern Kentucky University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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A rank of #3 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the top schools for criminal justice studies. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 12 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Eastern Kentucky University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Eastern Kentucky University earn around $36,021 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Eastern Kentucky University
Murray State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the town of Murray. Murray State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Murray State University awarded about 17 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $32,041 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Murray State University
Lindsey Wilson College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice studies, ranking #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Columbia. Lindsey Wilson College graduates 44% of students within six years. Lindsey Wilson College awarded about 12 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Lindsey Wilson College generally make around $29,512. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Lindsey Wilson College
Pikeville College placed #6 among the best criminal justice studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Pikeville. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pikeville College awarded about 20 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Pikeville College generally make around $27,025. Students borrow a median of $22,330 to complete this degree.
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Alice Lloyd College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Pippa Passes. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Alice Lloyd College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Alice Lloyd College
Kentucky State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Frankfort. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kentucky State University awarded about 18 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Kentucky State University generally make around $33,099. Typical student debt for the program is $28,162.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Kentucky State University
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 8 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.
