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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice

147 Colleges in the United States
2,574 Master's Degrees
Ranked #69 in popularity, criminal justice is one of the most sought-after master's degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual reviewed 147 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for master's degree seekers in the field of criminal justice. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 2,574 master's degrees in criminal justice during the 2019-2020 academic year.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Criminal Justice School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice Your choice of school for getting your master's degree in criminal justice matters. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice ranking.

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality criminal justice program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's Degrees in Criminal Justice
Doctor's Degrees in Criminal Justice
Overall Popularity in Criminal Justice

This is not our only ranking, nor the only degree level we have ranked. In addition to this ranking, you may want to take at the rankings for different degree levels as called out above. You can also narrow your search by location by filtering for a certain area of the country. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for criminal justice.

The following list ranks the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in criminal justice. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

22 Most Well Attended Schools for Criminal Justice Students Working on Their Master's

1
200 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AZ
#2 Best Quality In AZ

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in criminal justice has to check out Arizona State University - Skysong. ASU - Skysong is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Scottsdale. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Arizona.

There were about 200 criminal justice individuals who graduated with this degree at ASU - Skysong in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Arizona State University - Skysong

2
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
152 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MN
#3 Best Quality In MN

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Walden University if you want to pursue a master's degree in criminal justice. Walden University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the large city of Minneapolis. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Minnesota.

There were about 152 criminal justice individuals who graduated with this degree at Walden University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Walden University

3
148 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In AZ
#1 Best Quality In AZ

University of Phoenix - Arizona is a popular decision for individuals pursuing a master's degree in criminal justice. Located in the city of Tempe, UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Arizona.

There were approximately 148 criminal justice individuals who graduated with this degree at UOPX - Arizona in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from University of Phoenix - Arizona

4
131 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#1 Best Quality In NY

Any student who is interested in a master's degree in criminal justice has to look into John Jay College of Criminal Justice. John Jay is a large public college located in the city of New York. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in New York.

There were approximately 131 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at John Jay in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice

5
126 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#1 Best Quality In CA

Located in the city of San Diego, USD is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in California.

There were about 126 criminal justice individuals who graduated with this degree at USD in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from University of San Diego

6
97 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#2 Best Quality In MA

UMass Lowell is a large public university located in the large suburb of Lowell. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Massachusetts.

There were approximately 97 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at UMass Lowell in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from University of Massachusetts - Lowell

7
75 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AL
#2 Best Quality In AL

Located in the town of Troy, TROY is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Alabama.

There were roughly 75 criminal justice individuals who graduated with this degree at TROY in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Troy University

8
63 Annual Master's Degrees
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the suburb of Carolina, UNE is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

There were roughly 63 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at UNE in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Universidad del Este

9
Bethel crest
Bethel University
McKenzie, TN
52 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TN
#1 Best Quality In TN

Located in the distant town of McKenzie, Bethel is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Tennessee.

There were about 52 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Bethel in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Bethel University

10
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
Indianapolis, IN
51 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IN
#3 Best Quality In IN

Purdue University Global is a very large public university located in the large city of Indianapolis. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Indiana.

There were about 51 criminal justice individuals who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Global in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Purdue University Global

11
49 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

Located in the remote town of Macomb, WIU is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Illinois.

There were roughly 49 criminal justice individuals who graduated with this degree at WIU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Western Illinois University

12
Faulkner crest
Faulkner University
Montgomery, AL
47 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In AL
#1 Best Quality In AL

Faulkner is a small private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Montgomery. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Alabama.

There were roughly 47 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Faulkner in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Faulkner University

13
46 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In RI
#1 Best Quality In RI

Salve Regina is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Newport. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Rhode Island.

There were about 46 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Salve Regina in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Salve Regina University

14
43 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In KY
#2 Best Quality In KY

Located in the remote town of Williamsburg, Cumberlands is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Kentucky.

There were about 43 criminal justice individuals who graduated with this degree at Cumberlands in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from University of the Cumberlands

15
40 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In AL
#5 Best Quality In AL

Columbia Southern University is a large private for-profit university located in the fringe town of Orange Beach. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Alabama.

There were about 40 criminal justice individuals who graduated with this degree at Columbia Southern University in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Columbia Southern University

15
40 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#1 Best Quality In TX

SHSU is a very large public university located in the distant town of Huntsville. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Texas.

There were roughly 40 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at SHSU in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University

17
35 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#4 Best Quality In NY

STJ is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Queens. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in New York.

There were roughly 35 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at STJ in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from St John’s University - New York

18
33 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NY
#5 Best Quality In NY

Monroe College is a moderately-sized private for-profit college located in the large city of Bronx. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in New York.

There were about 33 criminal justice individuals who graduated with this degree at Monroe College in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Monroe College

18
33 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CO
#1 Best Quality In CO

Colorado State University - Global Campus is a fairly large public university located in the city of Greenwood Village. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Colorado.

There were approximately 33 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State University - Global Campus in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Colorado State University - Global Campus

20
32 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#2 Best Quality In FL

Located in the city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Florida.

There were approximately 32 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from University of South Florida - Main Campus

21
27 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NE
#1 Best Quality In NE

Located in the large suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Nebraska.

There were roughly 27 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Bellevue University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from Bellevue University

21
27 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In KY
#1 Best Quality In KY

UofL is a very large public university located in the large city of Louisville. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in criminal justice in Kentucky.

There were approximately 27 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at UofL in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in criminal justice from University of Louisville

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Criminal Justice students that almost earned our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice award.

RankCollegeLocation
25Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids, MI
25Keiser University - Ft LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FL
27South University’s online programsSavannah, GA
27Wilmington UniversityNew Castle, DE
27Texas A&M International UniversityLaredo, TX
23National UniversityLa Jolla, CA
24Columbia CollegeColumbia, MO
25Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids, MI
25Keiser University - Ft LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FL

Criminal Justice by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 13 majors within the Criminal Justice & Corrections area of study, Criminal Justice has other similar majors worth exploring.

Majors Similar to Criminal Justice

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Criminal Justice Studies3,321
Other Corrections & Criminal Justice402
Securities Services Administration/Management133
Criminal Justice & Police Science90
Law Enforcement Investigation & Interviewing76
Security & Loss Prevention Services22
Criminal Justice and Corrections, General14
Juvenile Corrections11
Corrections Administration6
Corrections4

Notes and References

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