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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

37 Colleges in the United States
2,737 Criminal Justice & Police Science Degrees Awarded
$40,814 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice & Police Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 90 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best criminal justice & police science schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Criminal Justice & Police Science in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall criminal justice & police science education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Criminal Justice & Police Science

1

Our analysis ranked Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice the best school in the country for a degree in criminal justice & police science. This large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 62 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $50,103 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

2
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #2 spot this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 230 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Rowan University earn around $33,254 in the first couple years of their career. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & police science program at Rowan University

3

Montgomery County Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice & police science, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. Montgomery County Community College awarded about 32 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $58,964 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,112 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice & police science program at Montgomery County Community College

4

Students looking for a strong criminal justice & police science program will find one at Middlesex County College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Middlesex County College awarded about 41 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Middlesex County College earn around $32,712 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,119. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Middlesex County College

5

Pennsylvania Western University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 33 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent year. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Pennsylvania Western University

6

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #6 among the best criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. About 247 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $25,302. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500. Read more about the criminal justice & police science program at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College

7

Brookdale Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. About 56 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Brookdale Community College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $30,595 early in their careers. Brookdale Community College graduates carry a median of $9,721 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Brookdale Community College

8

University Of Baltimore placed #8 among the best criminal justice & police science schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Baltimore. University Of Baltimore graduates 38% of students within six years. There were roughly 48 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Baltimore in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $48,991 early in their careers. University Of Baltimore graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & police science program at University Of Baltimore

9

The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Baltimore. About 142 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at The Community College Of Baltimore County in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $70,610. Students borrow a median of $14,611 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for The Community College Of Baltimore County

10

Erie Community College placed #10 among the best criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Erie Community College awarded about 74 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $51,676 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,938 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Erie Community College

11

County College Of Morris earned the #11 position for criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 66 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at County College Of Morris in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from County College Of Morris earn around $23,024 in the first couple years of their career. County College Of Morris graduates carry a median of $9,040 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for County College Of Morris

12

Frederick Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. There were roughly 44 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Frederick Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Frederick Community College earn around $43,733 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,778. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Frederick Community College

13
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Camden County College came in at #13 for criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Camden County College awarded about 293 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $43,451 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,322. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Camden County College

14

Essex County College came in at #14 for criminal justice & police science this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. About 56 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Essex County College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Essex County College earn around $31,908 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,472. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Essex County College

15

Prince Georges Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 28 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Prince Georges Community College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,949. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Prince Georges Community College

16
Burlington County College crest
Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Burlington County College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice & police science this year. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. There were roughly 65 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Burlington County College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $27,775 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Burlington County College

17

Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. About 65 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Delaware Technical Community College Terry in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn around $33,737 in the first couple years of their career. Delaware Technical Community College Terry graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Delaware Technical Community College Terry

18

Suny College Of Technology At Canton placed #18 among the best criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Suny College Of Technology At Canton in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $33,827 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,079 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Suny College Of Technology At Canton

19
Gwynedd Mercy College crest
Gwynedd Mercy College
Gwynedd Valley, PA

Gwynedd Mercy College came in at #19 for criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 12 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Gwynedd Mercy College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Gwynedd Mercy College generally make around $65,243. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the criminal justice & police science program at Gwynedd Mercy College

20

Broome Community College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 21 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Broome Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Broome Community College earn around $40,721 in the first couple years of their career. Broome Community College graduates carry a median of $11,674 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Broome Community College

21
Ocean County College crest
Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

Ocean County College came in at #21 for criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. Ocean County College awarded about 53 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $27,321 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Ocean County College

22

Delaware County Community College came in at #22 for criminal justice & police science this year. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. There were roughly 45 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Delaware County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $57,464 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,163 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Delaware County Community College

23

Anne Arundel Community College came in at #23 for criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. About 61 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Anne Arundel Community College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Anne Arundel Community College

24

Monroe Community College came in at #24 for criminal justice & police science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Rochester. Monroe Community College awarded about 60 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $56,846. Monroe Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & police science program at Monroe Community College

25

Suny Westchester Community College earned the #25 position for criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. About 47 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Suny Westchester Community College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,764. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Suny Westchester Community College

Rest of the Top 47 Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools

These schools also placed among the best for criminal justice & police science this year:

26
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Hilbert College crest
Hilbert College
Hamburg, NY
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Lackawanna College crest
Lackawanna College
Scranton, PA
46
47

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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 · 90 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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