Criminal Justice & Corrections programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their criminal justice & corrections programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 1275 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for criminal justice & corrections students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Criminal Justice & Corrections School
Where you study criminal justice & corrections matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings by Degree Level
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 & Corrections Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 school for criminal justice & corrections. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 1,171 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 56 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Southern California
University Of San Diego is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. About 121 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of San Diego earn around $143,943 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of San Diego
A rank of #4 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for criminal justice & corrections. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 218 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for San Jose State University
University Of Chicago came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 24 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $100,258. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of Chicago
George Washington University placed #6 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 69 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $51,256. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for George Washington University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 37 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $53,666 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University Of Massachusetts Amherst
George Mason University earned the #8 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. 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. There were roughly 361 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $49,815 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,761.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at George Mason University
Northeastern University earned the #9 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 161 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $49,316 early in their careers. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $22,809 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Northeastern University
Boston University placed #10 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 110 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Boston University earn around $63,965 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Boston University
Iowa State University earned the #11 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 84 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $41,624 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Iowa State University
California State University East Bay ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 117 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $45,387 early in their careers. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for California State University East Bay
University Of Arizona placed #13 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 173 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Arizona earn around $50,834 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of Arizona
Sonoma State University earned the #14 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 51 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $38,444. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Sonoma State University
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 176 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $45,182 in the first couple years of their career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $22,431 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Rutgers University New Brunswick
The College Of New Jersey ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 61 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $36,070 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at The College Of New Jersey
California State University Sacramento came in at #17 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 473 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $38,606 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,745.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for California State University Sacramento
San Francisco State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 170 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $42,211. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $13,518 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for San Francisco State University
High Point University earned the #19 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Typical student debt for the program is $23,785.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at High Point University
American University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 156 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $49,607 in their early career. American University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from American University
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 108 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $35,572. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,464 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Indiana University Bloomington
San Diego State University placed #22 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 547 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from San Diego State University earn around $33,261 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,998.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for San Diego State University
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #23 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 37 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Saint Louis University Main Campus earn around $45,709 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,694 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Saint Louis University Main Campus
Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #24 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $45,022. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Point Loma Nazarene University
Illinois State University earned the #25 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 157 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $37,584 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,531 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Illinois State University
Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong criminal justice & corrections education:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 1275 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).
