2026 Best Criminal Justice Schools in Ohio
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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools to find the best for criminal justice students.
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Best Schools for Criminal Justice in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall criminal justice education in Ohio.
Top Schools in Criminal Justice
Franklin University tops our 2026 ranking of the best criminal justice schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 3%. Franklin University awarded about 186 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $38,103. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice details for Franklin University
Owens Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #2 spot this year. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. About 12 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Owens Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $51,319. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice program report for Owens Community College
Ashland University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice, ranking #3. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Ashland University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $42,172. Students borrow a median of $29,406 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Ashland University
Tiffin University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Tiffin. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Tiffin University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Tiffin University earn around $53,145 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,758.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Tiffin University
Stark State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Stark State College awarded about 18 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $35,014 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,350.
Read more about the criminal justice program at Stark State College
Miami University Hamilton came in at #6 for criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public university. Miami University Hamilton graduates 24% of students within six years. Miami University Hamilton awarded about 18 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $36,612 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,505.
Get the full criminal justice details for Miami University Hamilton
Lake Erie College placed #7 among the best criminal justice schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Painesville. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lake Erie College awarded about 11 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Lake Erie College earn around $65,474 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice program at Lake Erie College
More Criminal Justice Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 20 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.
