2026 Best Criminal Justice Schools in Iowa
Criminal Justice programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools to find the best for criminal justice students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Criminal Justice in Iowa
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
Leading the list is University Of Northern Iowa, our #1 school for criminal justice. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. About 19 criminal justice degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of Northern Iowa earn around $43,748 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice program at University Of Northern Iowa
A rank of #2 makes Saint Ambrose University one of the top schools for criminal justice. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Saint Ambrose University earn around $43,579 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Saint Ambrose University
Mount Mercy University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Mount Mercy University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $48,841 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Mount Mercy University
More Criminal Justice Rankings
View All Criminal Justice Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 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.
