2027 Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
Criminal Justice Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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 54 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for criminal justice studies students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Criminal Justice Studies in the The Plains States Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the criminal justice studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Criminal Justice Studies
Iowa State University tops our 2027 ranking of the best criminal justice studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 84 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $41,624 in their early career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Iowa State University
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 29 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Saint Louis University Main Campus earn around $45,709 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,694.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Saint Louis University Main Campus
Minnesota State University Mankato is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $49,019 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Minnesota State University Mankato
University Of North Dakota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 54 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $42,825. Typical student debt for the program is $19,875.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at University Of North Dakota
Saint Cloud State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Saint Cloud. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Cloud State University awarded about 34 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $49,412. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Saint Cloud State University
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #6 for criminal justice studies this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 270 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn around $45,897 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,561.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Winona State University earned the #7 position for criminal justice studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Winona State University earn around $48,861 in the first couple years of their career. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $26,012 in student loans.
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Central Community College placed #8 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public institution. Central Community College awarded about 204 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Central Community College earn around $43,218 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,277.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Central Community College
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #9 for criminal justice studies this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota awarded about 23 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $64,894 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,708 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Normandale Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. About 10 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Normandale Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Normandale Community College earn around $53,871 in the first couple years of their career. Normandale Community College graduates carry a median of $12,891 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Normandale Community College
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #11 position for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 19 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $42,555 early in their careers. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Des Moines Area Community College
Bemidji State University placed #12 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Bemidji State University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Bemidji State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $49,617. Students borrow a median of $23,181 to complete this degree.
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Coe College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Coe College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $44,511 in their early career. Coe College graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Coe College
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 50 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn around $38,057 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from North Dakota State University Main Campus
University Of South Dakota ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. University Of South Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. University Of South Dakota awarded about 47 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of South Dakota earn around $40,402 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Mary ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. University Of Mary awarded about 13 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $65,565 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,983.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of Mary
Metropolitan State University came in at #17 for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 44 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Metropolitan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $52,125 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,213.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Metropolitan State University
Truman State University landed the #18 spot for criminal justice studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Kirksville. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Truman State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Truman State University earn around $32,176 in the first couple years of their career. Truman State University graduates carry a median of $21,997 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Truman State University
Saint Ambrose University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Saint Ambrose University earn around $43,579 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Ambrose University graduates carry a median of $27,528 in student loans.
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Pittsburg State University landed the #20 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 17 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Pittsburg State University earn around $50,003 in the first couple years of their career. Pittsburg State University graduates carry a median of $24,843 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Pittsburg State University
University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #21 for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Nebraska At Kearney graduates 57% of students within six years. About 33 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $40,128. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Morningside College placed #22 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 10 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Morningside College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Morningside College earn around $54,988 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,281 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Morningside College
Northwestern College Minnesota placed #23 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Northwestern College Minnesota awarded about 11 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $44,857 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,505.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Northwestern College Minnesota
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #24 spot for criminal justice studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Moorhead. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 30 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead earn around $44,037 in the first couple years of their career. Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates carry a median of $23,485 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Minnesota State University Moorhead
Grand View 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 Des Moines. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grand View University awarded about 18 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $45,175. Students borrow a median of $26,485 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Grand View University
Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice studies ranking:
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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 · 54 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.