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2024 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

167 Colleges in the Southeast Region
13,666 Bachelor's Degrees
$33,213 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a bachelor's degree in criminal justice & corrections, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #7 most popular program in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual reviewed 167 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the best for bachelor's degree seekers in the field of criminal justice & corrections. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 13,666 bachelor's degrees in criminal justice & corrections during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Criminal Justice & Corrections School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region The criminal justice bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:

Quality Overall Is Important

The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we include a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Average Earnings

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for criminal justice & corrections students working on their bachelor's degree.

More Ways to Rank Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Criminal Justice Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Criminal Justice & Corrections in the Southeast Region

The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice & corrections. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Southeast Region Schools for a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

1
608 Annual Graduates
$49,354 Median Starting Salary
$19,000 Median Student Debt

Any student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in criminal justice & corrections needs to check out American Public University System. American Military University is a very large private for-profit university located in the town of Charles Town.

Criminal Justice & Corrections bachelor's degree recipients from American Public University System receive an earnings boost of about $16,141 above the typical income of criminal justice & corrections majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from American Public University System

2
363 Annual Graduates
$40,661 Median Starting Salary
$20,761 Median Student Debt

George Mason University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in criminal justice & corrections. Located in the large suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the criminal justice & corrections degree program at George Mason University earn $7,448 above the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from George Mason University

3
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
565 Annual Graduates
$31,412 Median Starting Salary
$21,170 Median Student Debt

Florida State University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in criminal justice & corrections. Florida State is a very large public university located in the city of Tallahassee.

Soon after graduation, criminal justice bachelor's recipients generally earn an average of $31,412 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Florida State University

4
263 Annual Graduates
$52,800 Median Starting Salary
$30,204 Median Student Debt

Columbia Southern University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in criminal justice & corrections. Columbia Southern University is a large private for-profit university located in the fringe town of Orange Beach.

Those criminal justice & corrections students who get their bachelor's degree from Columbia Southern University earn $19,587 more than the standard criminal justice student.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Columbia Southern University

5
524 Annual Graduates
$31,676 Median Starting Salary
$21,731 Median Student Debt

Located in the large suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the criminal justice program state that they receive average early career wages of $31,676.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of Central Florida

6
614 Annual Graduates
$33,856 Median Starting Salary
$18,623 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Miami, FIU is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the criminal justice program earn around $33,856 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Florida International University

7
216 Annual Graduates
$31,800 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, UofSC is a public university with a fairly large student population.

After graduation, criminal justice bachelor's recipients typically earn an average of $31,800 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of South Carolina - Columbia

8
187 Annual Graduates
$34,326 Median Starting Salary
$23,250 Median Student Debt

VCU is a fairly large public university located in the city of Richmond.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the criminal justice program state that they receive average early career earnings of $34,326.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Virginia Commonwealth University

9
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
614 Annual Graduates
$40,903 Median Starting Salary
$29,728 Median Student Debt

Liberty University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Lynchburg.

Those criminal justice & corrections students who get their bachelor's degree from Liberty University earn $7,690 more than the average criminal justice grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Liberty University

10
St. Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL
325 Annual Graduates
$42,956 Median Starting Salary
$30,500 Median Student Debt

St. Leo University is a large private not-for-profit university located in the small suburb of Saint Leo.

Criminal Justice & Corrections bachelor's degree recipients from Saint Leo University receive an earnings boost of approximately $9,743 over the average income of criminal justice & corrections majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Saint Leo University

11
21 Annual Graduates
$34,202 Median Starting Salary
$27,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the large suburb of Clinton, MC is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the criminal justice program make about $34,202 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Mississippi College

12
124 Annual Graduates
$32,997 Median Starting Salary
$23,151 Median Student Debt

UofL is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Louisville.

After graduating, criminal justice bachelor's recipients generally make about $32,997 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of Louisville

13
90 Annual Graduates
$33,859 Median Starting Salary
$43,850 Median Student Debt

Located in the midsize city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the criminal justice program make an average of $33,859 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

14
85 Annual Graduates
$38,066 Median Starting Salary
$22,978 Median Student Debt

UGA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Athens.

Criminal Justice & Corrections bachelor's degree recipients from University of Georgia get an earnings boost of about $4,853 over the average earnings of criminal justice & corrections graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of Georgia

15
313 Annual Graduates
$33,474 Median Starting Salary
$18,750 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Boca Raton, FAU is a public university with a fairly large student population.

After graduating, criminal justice bachelor's recipients typically make about $33,474 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Florida Atlantic University

16
Columbia College South Carolina crest
Columbia College
Columbia, SC
48 Annual Graduates
$44,941 Median Starting Salary
$26,773 Median Student Debt

Columbia College South Carolina is a small private not-for-profit college located in the midsize city of Columbia.

Those criminal justice & corrections students who get their bachelor's degree from Columbia College receive $11,728 more than the typical criminal justice student.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Columbia College

17
183 Annual Graduates
$29,941 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the distant town of Richmond, Eastern is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the criminal justice program state that they receive average early career income of $29,941.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Eastern Kentucky University

18
254 Annual Graduates
$34,573 Median Starting Salary
$23,250 Median Student Debt

UNC Charlotte is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Charlotte.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the criminal justice program earn around $34,573 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of North Carolina at Charlotte

19
Marymount crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
22 Annual Graduates
$44,543 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Marymount is a small private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Arlington.

Bachelor's recipients from the criminal justice & corrections major at Marymount University earn $11,330 above the typical college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Marymount University

20
Bethel crest
Bethel University
McKenzie, TN
112 Annual Graduates
$47,898 Median Starting Salary
$31,250 Median Student Debt

Located in the distant town of McKenzie, Bethel is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the criminal justice & corrections degree program at Bethel University make $14,685 more than the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Bethel University

21
96 Annual Graduates
$32,033 Median Starting Salary
$30,026 Median Student Debt

Located in the midsize city of Little Rock, UA Little Rock is a public university with a medium-sized student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the criminal justice program make about $32,033 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of Arkansas at Little Rock

22
54 Annual Graduates
$30,064 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the town of Williamsburg, Cumberlands is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

After graduating, criminal justice bachelor's recipients generally earn an average of $30,064 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of the Cumberlands

23
92 Annual Graduates
$32,883 Median Starting Salary
$27,307 Median Student Debt

UAB is a fairly large public university located in the city of Birmingham.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the criminal justice program report average early career wages of $32,883.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of Alabama at Birmingham

24
67 Annual Graduates
$38,436 Median Starting Salary
$24,966 Median Student Debt

The Citadel is a small public college located in the city of Charleston.

Bachelor's recipients from the criminal justice & corrections program at Citadel Military College of South Carolina make $5,223 more than the standard college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Citadel Military College of South Carolina

25
221 Annual Graduates
$30,403 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Greenville, ECU is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the criminal justice program make about $30,403 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from East Carolina University

Rest of the Top Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
26 University of Mississippi University, MS
27 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
28 Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL
29 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
30 Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL
31 Reinhardt University Waleska, GA
32 Radford University Radford, VA
33 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA

Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges by State

Explore the best criminal justice & corrections schools for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Florida 225 3,420
Georgia 224 1,380
Tennessee 220 893
North Carolina 213 1,831
Virginia 213 1,745
South Carolina 195 654
Kentucky 187 601
Alabama 184 924
Louisiana 171 511
Mississippi 169 370
Arkansas 167 423
West Virginia 147 904

View All Rankings >

One of 4 majors within the Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting area of study, Criminal Justice & Corrections has other similar majors worth exploring.

Criminal Justice Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Criminal Justice Studies 9,121
Criminal Justice 3,149
Criminal Justice & Police Science 835
Other Corrections & Criminal Justice 277
Criminal Justice and Corrections, General 160
Securities Services Administration/Management 109
Corrections 12
Protective Services Operations 3

Majors Similar to Criminal Justice

Related Major Annual Graduates
Homeland Security 1,134
Security Science and Technology 871
Fire Protection 761
Other Homeland Security 575

Notes and References

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