Criminal Justice 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 438 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for criminal justice students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for criminal justice can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Criminal Justice Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Criminal Justice School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Criminal Justice Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than University Of Virginia Main Campus this year for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 135 criminal justice degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $69,126 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627.
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University Of San Diego is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice, ranking #2. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 121 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of San Diego earn around $143,943 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice program report for University Of San Diego
George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 criminal justice degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $49,815 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,761.
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The College Of New Jersey came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Ewing. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 61 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $36,070 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from The College Of New Jersey
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 26 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $43,748 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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Michigan State University earned the #6 position for criminal justice this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 227 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $57,913 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full criminal justice program report for Michigan State University
Arizona State University came in at #7 for criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 287 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $53,732. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
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University Of Nevada Reno earned the #8 position for criminal justice this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of Nevada Reno awarded about 149 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $50,691. Typical student debt for the program is $19,918.
See the full criminal justice program report for University Of Nevada Reno
Charter Oak State College came in at #9 for criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. About 100% of students finish within six years. About 15 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Charter Oak State College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $68,956 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
Read more about the criminal justice program at Charter Oak State College
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #10 among the best criminal justice schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 151 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $38,495. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Virginia Commonwealth University
Diablo Valley College placed #11 among the best criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Diablo Valley College awarded about 70 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205.
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Aurora University earned the #12 position for criminal justice this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $44,150 early in their careers. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice program at Aurora University
Robert Morris University came in at #13 for criminal justice this year. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Robert Morris University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $58,900 in their early career. Robert Morris University graduates carry a median of $26,748 in student loans.
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University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #14 position for criminal justice this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 271 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn around $61,649 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,822.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from University Of Massachusetts Lowell
University Of New Haven earned the #15 position for criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of New Haven graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 247 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Haven in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of New Haven earn around $47,026 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full criminal justice program report for University Of New Haven
Grossmont College came in at #16 for criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. About 96 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Grossmont College in the most recent year.
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Roger Williams University came in at #17 for criminal justice this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bristol. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Roger Williams University awarded about 108 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $49,996 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice program at Roger Williams University
Grand Valley State University landed the #18 spot for criminal justice this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Allendale. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 109 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $39,857. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #19 for criminal justice this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 1,201 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $50,103 early in their careers. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans.
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Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 374 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $111,649. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice program report for Santa Rosa Junior College
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #21 for criminal justice this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. About 361 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $53,732. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Arizona State University Skysong
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #22 for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 250 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $37,240 in their early career. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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University Of Louisville placed #23 among the best criminal justice schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Louisville. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 220 criminal justice degrees were awarded at University Of Louisville in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $74,173 in their early career. University Of Louisville graduates carry a median of $18,258 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice program report for University Of Louisville
University Of Georgia came in at #24 for criminal justice this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 76 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $37,405 early in their careers. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,978 in student loans.
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University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #25 spot for criminal justice this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. About 77% of students finish within six years. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 16 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $58,306 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice program report for University Of South Florida Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice Schools
These schools also placed among the best for criminal justice this year:
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 · 438 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).
