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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Far Western Region

12 Colleges in the United States
2,845 Criminal Justice & Police Science Degrees Awarded
$53,615 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice & Police Science 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 122 schools to find the best for criminal justice & police science students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Criminal Justice & Police Science in the Far Western 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 & police science degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Criminal Justice & Police Science

1

Our analysis ranked Santa Rosa Junior College the best school in the country for a degree in criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. About 112 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $111,649 early in their careers. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Santa Rosa Junior College

2

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice & police science, ranking #2. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 61 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $40,669 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,269. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

3
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA

A rank of #3 makes Butte College one of the top schools for criminal justice & police science. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. Butte College awarded about 126 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Butte College earn a median of $73,170 early in their careers. Butte College graduates carry a median of $15,414 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Butte College

4
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. There were roughly 34 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Chabot College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Chabot College earn around $85,175 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Chabot College

5

Students looking for a strong criminal justice & police science program will find one at Modesto Junior College, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Modesto. There were roughly 22 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Modesto Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $28,102 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,575. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Modesto Junior College

6
Rio Hondo College crest
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA

Rio Hondo College placed #6 among the best criminal justice & police science schools. This very large public university is located in the rural area of Whittier. Rio Hondo College awarded about 83 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Rio Hondo College generally make around $95,666. Typical student debt for the program is $15,510. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Rio Hondo College

7

Southwestern College Chula Vista placed #7 among the best criminal justice & police science schools. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. There were roughly 25 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern College Chula Vista in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $30,983 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,205 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Southwestern College Chula Vista

8
College Of The Desert crest
College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA

College Of The Desert earned the #8 position for criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public institution. College Of The Desert awarded about 26 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $32,482 in their early career. College Of The Desert graduates carry a median of $7,826 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for College Of The Desert

9
Yuba College crest
Yuba College
Marysville, CA

Yuba College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. Yuba College awarded about 50 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $62,350 early in their careers. Yuba College graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Yuba College

10
East Los Angeles College crest
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Monterey Park. There were roughly 290 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at East Los Angeles College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from East Los Angeles College earn around $33,595 in the first couple years of their career. East Los Angeles College graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for East Los Angeles College

11

Spokane Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 18 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Spokane Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Spokane Community College earn around $41,451 in the first couple years of their career. Spokane Community College graduates carry a median of $16,486 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Spokane Community College

12
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Moreno Valley College awarded about 130 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $81,339 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,643. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Moreno Valley College

13

Green River Community College earned the #13 position for criminal justice & police science this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 23 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Green River Community College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Green River Community College

14

College Of Southern Nevada ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Las Vegas. College Of Southern Nevada awarded about 39 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $26,301. Typical student debt for the program is $6,687. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from College Of Southern Nevada

15

Fresno City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. Fresno City College awarded about 27 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $32,658 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,187 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Fresno City College

16
Gavilan College crest
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA

Gavilan College earned the #16 position for criminal justice & police science this year. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. About 43 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Gavilan College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Gavilan College graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Gavilan College

17

University Of Alaska Southeast earned the #17 position for criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public university. About 21% of students finish within six years. University Of Alaska Southeast awarded about 36 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from University Of Alaska Southeast earn around $63,014 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,458. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for University Of Alaska Southeast

18
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College came in at #18 for criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Chaffey College awarded about 116 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Chaffey College earn around $23,532 in the first couple years of their career. Chaffey College graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Chaffey College

19
Nevada State College crest
Nevada State College
Henderson, NV

Nevada State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Henderson. About 34% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 54 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Nevada State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Nevada State College generally make around $36,363. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Nevada State College

20
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Golden West College awarded about 62 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Golden West College

21
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Santa Ana College awarded about 813 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Santa Ana College graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Santa Ana College

22
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College came in at #22 for criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. There were roughly 10 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Palomar College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Palomar College

23
Los Medanos College crest
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA

Los Medanos College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Pittsburg. There were roughly 74 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Los Medanos College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Los Medanos College generally make around $32,581. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Los Medanos College

24
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College landed the #24 spot for criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Ventura College awarded about 21 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $99,778 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Ventura College

25

San Joaquin Delta College placed #25 among the best criminal justice & police science schools. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. About 14 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at San Joaquin Delta College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from San Joaquin Delta College earn around $65,168 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice & police science program at San Joaquin Delta College

Rest of the Top 33 Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong criminal justice & police science education:

26
27
28
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA
29
San Bernardino Valley College crest
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA
30
31
Porterville College crest
Porterville College
Porterville, CA
32
33

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 122 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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