2024 Best Criminal Justice Schools
329
Colleges in the United States
32,891
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Ranked #27 in popularity,
criminal justice is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.
For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 329 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for criminal justice students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 32,891 degrees in criminal justice to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Criminal Justice School
Your choice of criminal justice school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Criminal Justice School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
Pick Your Criminal Justice Degree Level
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Criminal Justice Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you.
When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.
Best Schools for Criminal Justice in the United States
Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the criminal justice degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
25 Top Schools in Criminal Justice
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
16th
Most Popular In CA
131
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
University of San Diego is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in criminal justice. USD is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of San Diego. A Best Colleges rank of #187 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means USD is a great university overall.
There were about 131 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at USD in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from University of San Diego
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In AZ
373
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Arizona State University - Tempe is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in criminal justice. ASU - Tempe is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Tempe. A Best Colleges rank of #119 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means ASU - Tempe is a great university overall.
There were about 373 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Tempe in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Arizona State University - Tempe
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In MA
348
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
It is difficult to beat University of Massachusetts - Lowell if you want to pursue a degree in criminal justice. Located in the large suburb of Lowell, UMass Lowell is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 21st out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There were about 348 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at UMass Lowell in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from University of Massachusetts - Lowell
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In AZ
976
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
University of Phoenix - Arizona is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in criminal justice. UOPX - Arizona is a very large private for-profit university located in the large city of Phoenix. A Best Colleges rank of #113 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UOPX - Arizona is a great university overall.
There were approximately 976 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at UOPX - Arizona in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from University of Phoenix - Arizona
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In NY
1,483
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the city of New York, John Jay is a public college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #212 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means John Jay is a great college overall.
There were roughly 1483 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at John Jay in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In AZ
433
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arizona.
There were about 433 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Skysong in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Arizona State University - Skysong
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In AL
75
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the fringe town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #114 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia Southern University is a great university overall.
There were about 75 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Southern University in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Columbia Southern University
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In MI
180
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.
There were approximately 180 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
6th
Most Popular In CA
159
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
UAGC is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the city of San Diego. This university ranks 50th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 159 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at UAGC in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from The University of Arizona Global Campus
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
27th
Most Popular In CA
159
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the large suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #189 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Golden West College is a great college overall.
There were approximately 159 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Golden West College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Golden West College
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In SC
223
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
UofSC is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Columbia. A Best Colleges rank of #152 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UofSC is a great university overall.
There were about 223 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at UofSC in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from University of South Carolina - Columbia
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
20th
Most Popular In VA
GMU is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Fairfax. A Best Colleges rank of #117 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means GMU is a great university overall.
There were approximately 10 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from George Mason University
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
43rd
Most Popular In CA
73
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
SRJC is a fairly large public college located in the city of Santa Rosa. This college ranks 60th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were about 73 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at SRJC in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Santa Rosa Junior College
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
7th
Most Popular In TX
44
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the distant town of Huntsville, SHSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 27th out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.
There were approximately 44 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at SHSU in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In RI
105
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the suburb of Bristol, RWU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 7th out of 9 schools for overall quality in the state of Rhode Island.
There were approximately 105 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at RWU in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Roger Williams University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In VA
193
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the midsize city of Richmond, VCU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #240 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means VCU is a great university overall.
There were approximately 193 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at VCU in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Virginia Commonwealth University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In OH
178
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the city of Cincinnati, Union is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 11th out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were approximately 178 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Union in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Union Institute & University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
7th
Most Popular In CA
156
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #196 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means National University is a great university overall.
There were approximately 156 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at National University in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from National University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In FL
165
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Fort Lauderdale. A Best Colleges rank of #176 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a great university overall.
There were roughly 165 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In CT
233
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the suburb of West Haven, University of New Haven is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 8th out of 28 schools for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.
There were roughly 233 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at University of New Haven in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from University of New Haven
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In RI
130
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the large suburb of Newport, Salve Regina is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 686th out of 2,217 colleges for overall quality nationwide.
There were approximately 130 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Salve Regina in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Salve Regina University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In TX
542
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the medium-sized city of Edinburg, UT Rio Grande Valley is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 21st out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.
There were roughly 542 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at UT Rio Grande Valley in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In KY
238
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the city of Louisville, UofL is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 38 schools for overall quality in the state of Kentucky.
There were about 238 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at UofL in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from University of Louisville
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In MS
MC is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Clinton. This college ranks 4th out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Mississippi.
There were about 29 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at MC in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Mississippi College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
54th
Most Popular In CA
82
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Located in the large suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population. This college ranks 111th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 82 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Moreno Valley College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Moreno Valley College