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2027 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region

365 Colleges in the United States
26,304 Criminal Justice & Corrections Degrees Awarded
$40,720 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice & Corrections is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 365 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best criminal justice & corrections schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Criminal Justice & Corrections in the Southeast Region

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 & corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Criminal Justice & Corrections

1

University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

Students looking for a strong criminal justice & corrections program will find one at George Mason University, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 361 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $49,815. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $20,761 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at George Mason University

3
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. High Point University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $113,352 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at High Point University

4
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 666 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $46,245. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $21,170 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Florida State University

5

Virginia Commonwealth University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 151 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $38,495 early in their careers. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

6

Appalachian State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Appalachian State University awarded about 120 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $35,796 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Appalachian State University

7
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 83 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $71,836. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Nova Southeastern University

8

University Of Louisville placed #8 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 220 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Louisville in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $74,173. University Of Louisville graduates carry a median of $18,258 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of Louisville

9

Western Carolina University earned the #9 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 119 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Western Carolina University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $38,682. Western Carolina University graduates carry a median of $21,461 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Western Carolina University

10

University Of Georgia placed #10 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 76 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $37,405. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,978 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for University Of Georgia

11

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #11 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 16 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $58,306 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for University Of South Florida Main Campus

12

Florida International University came in at #12 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida International University awarded about 441 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $42,215 early in their careers. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $18,623 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Florida International University

13

University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #13 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 220 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $35,781 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of South Carolina Columbia

14

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 167 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $36,155 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

15

Citadel Military College Of South Carolina placed #15 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 36 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Citadel Military College Of South Carolina in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn around $45,235 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,966. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina

16

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #16 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 107 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $40,079. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates carry a median of $21,660 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Florida Gulf Coast University

17

Southern Arkansas University Tech came in at #17 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of Camden. About 77 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Southern Arkansas University Tech in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Southern Arkansas University Tech earn a median of $34,302 early in their careers. Southern Arkansas University Tech graduates carry a median of $8,488 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Southern Arkansas University Tech

18

University Of Central Florida landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 526 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $41,273 in their early career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,731 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of Central Florida

19

Florida Atlantic University earned the #19 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 340 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $41,963 early in their careers. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Florida Atlantic University

20

University Of North Florida landed the #20 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large public university is located in the city of Jacksonville. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of North Florida awarded about 140 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of North Florida earn around $44,450 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Florida graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for University Of North Florida

21
Lynn University crest
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL

Lynn University earned the #21 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Lynn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Lynn University earn around $39,496 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Lynn University

22

Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #22 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. Chattahoochee Technical College awarded about 134 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $44,673 in their early career. Chattahoochee Technical College graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Chattahoochee Technical College

23

Indian River State College came in at #23 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 217 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Indian River State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $51,825. Typical student debt for the program is $9,176. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Indian River State College

24

University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #24 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This very large public university is located in the town of University. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. University Of Mississippi Main Campus awarded about 167 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $40,243 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,171 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University Of Mississippi Main Campus

25
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University landed the #25 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Shenandoah University graduates 66% of students within six years. About 20 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Shenandoah University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections 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. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Shenandoah University

Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections ranking:

26
27
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
28
29
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA
30
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
31
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL
32
33
34
35
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
36
37
38
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA
39
40
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
41
42
43
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
44
45
46
47
48
49
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL
50

Additional Criminal Justice & Corrections Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for criminal justice & corrections:

Rank School Location
#51 Columbia College South Carolina Columbia, SC
#52 Polk State College Winter Haven, FL
#53 Wingate University Wingate, NC
#54 University Of Alabama At Birmingham Birmingham, AL
#55 Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FL
#56 Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA
#57 University Of The Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY
#58 Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV
#59 Northwest Mississippi Community College Senatobia, MS
#60 York Technical College Rock Hill, SC
#61 University Of Louisiana Lafayette Lafayette, LA
#62 Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC
#63 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
#64 The University Of West Florida Pensacola, FL
#65 Campbell University Buies Creek, NC
#66 Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, GA
#67 Bryan College Dayton Dayton, TN
#68 Edison State College Fort Myers, FL
#69 Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR
#70 Bluefield College Bluefield, VA
#71 Black River Technical College Pocahontas, AR
#72 Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN
#73 Augusta Technical College Augusta, GA

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for criminal justice & corrections:

View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 365 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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