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2027 Best Criminal Justice Schools in Virginia

24 Colleges in the United States
918 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
$40,307 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best criminal justice schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Criminal Justice in Virginia

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 degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Criminal Justice

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Virginia Main Campus this year for criminal justice. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 135 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data 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. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

George Mason University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. George Mason University awarded about 16 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from George Mason University earn around $49,815 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,761 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for George Mason University

3

Virginia Commonwealth University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice, ranking #3. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. 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

4
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

A rank of #4 makes Shenandoah University one of the top schools for criminal justice. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Shenandoah University graduates 66% of students within six years. Shenandoah University awarded about 20 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Shenandoah University earn around $46,816 in the first couple years of their career. Shenandoah University graduates carry a median of $25,810 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Shenandoah University

5
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA

Marymount University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Marymount University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $35,642 in their early career. Marymount University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for Marymount University

6

Northern Virginia Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. About 29 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Students borrow a median of $25,999 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Northern Virginia Community College

7
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Regent University awarded about 15 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $46,005 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Regent University

8

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 19 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $40,020 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,768 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave

9

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. About 32 criminal justice degrees were awarded at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $36,965 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

10
Averett University crest
Averett University
Danville, VA

Averett University came in at #10 for criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 25 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Averett University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Averett University earn a median of $43,494 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,703. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Averett University

11
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Hampton University landed the #11 spot for criminal justice this year. Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hampton. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Hampton University awarded about 20 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Hampton University generally make around $31,335. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice program at Hampton University

12

John Tyler Community College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. John Tyler Community College awarded about 61 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from John Tyler Community College earn around $33,766 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice program at John Tyler Community College

13

Central Virginia Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lynchburg. There were roughly 68 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Central Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $32,309. Central Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $10,384 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for Central Virginia Community College

14

Tidewater Community College earned the #14 position for criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. About 83 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Tidewater Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Tidewater Community College earn around $26,965 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,795 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Tidewater Community College

15

Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #15 position for criminal justice this year. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 10 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Lord Fairfax Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. Typical student debt for the program is $10,698. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Lord Fairfax Community College

16

Wytheville Community College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 36 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Wytheville Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Wytheville Community College earn around $38,907 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,542 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Wytheville Community College

17
Germanna Community College crest
Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College earned the #17 position for criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 22 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Germanna Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Germanna Community College earn around $41,880 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,999. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Germanna Community College

18

Dabney S Lancaster Community College placed #18 among the best criminal justice schools. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. About 15 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Dabney S Lancaster Community College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Dabney S Lancaster Community College

19

Southside Virginia Community College landed the #19 spot for criminal justice this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Alberta. About 23 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Southside Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Southside Virginia Community College earn around $29,666 in the first couple years of their career. Southside Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $7,467 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Southside Virginia Community College

20

Piedmont Virginia Community College earned the #20 position for criminal justice this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 15 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Piedmont Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $46,129 early in their careers. Piedmont Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Piedmont Virginia Community College

21

Strayer University Virginia ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Arlington, Strayer University Virginia is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Strayer University Virginia graduates 19% of students within six years. Strayer University Virginia awarded about 39 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Strayer University Virginia generally make around $43,405. Typical student debt for the program is $56,937. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Strayer University Virginia

22

Thomas Nelson Community College placed #22 among the best criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 21 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Nelson Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $36,758 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,402. Read more about the criminal justice program at Thomas Nelson Community College

23

Danville Community College came in at #23 for criminal justice this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Danville Community College awarded about 22 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Danville Community College earn around $44,922 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,494 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Danville Community College

24

Mountain Empire Community College came in at #24 for criminal justice this year. Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Stone Gap. There were roughly 22 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Mountain Empire Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Mountain Empire Community College earn around $36,988 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,036 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Mountain Empire Community College

View All Criminal Justice Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 24 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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