2026 Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools

1

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best criminal justice studies schools. 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 594 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $69,126 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for a strong criminal justice studies program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 58 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $75,677 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of Southern California

3

George Washington University
Washington, DC

Students looking for a strong criminal justice studies program will find one at George Washington University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. George Washington University awarded about 52 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $51,256. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from George Washington University

4

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 224 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Get the full criminal justice studies details for San Jose State University

5

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. About 37 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

6

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 29 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $49,815. Students borrow a median of $20,761 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice studies program report for George Mason University

7

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #7 for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 64 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $38,444. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Sonoma State University

8

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #8 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. Boston University awarded about 102 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $63,965 in their early career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Boston University

9

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University placed #9 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. Northeastern University awarded about 104 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies 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. Get the full criminal justice studies details for Northeastern University

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 560 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $38,606 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,745. See the full criminal justice studies program report for California State University Sacramento

11

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. About 119 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $45,387 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from California State University East Bay

12

American University
Washington, DC

American University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. American University awarded about 131 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of American University earn a median of $49,607 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full criminal justice studies details for American University

13

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 89 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $35,572 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,464. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Indiana University Bloomington

14

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 98 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Iowa State University earn around $41,624 in the first couple years of their career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice studies details for Iowa State University

15

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #15 for criminal justice studies this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 168 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies 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. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at San Francisco State University

16

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #16 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $45,022 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Point Loma Nazarene University

17

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University came in at #17 for criminal justice studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 170 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $37,584 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,531 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice studies details for Illinois State University

18

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #18 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 577 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $46,245 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,170 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Florida State University

19

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #19 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 354 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $40,836. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice studies program report for California State University Long Beach

20

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #20 position for criminal justice studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. About 70% of students finish within six years. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 161 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full criminal justice studies details for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

21

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #21 for criminal justice studies this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 172 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $45,182 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,431 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Rutgers University New Brunswick

22

Westfield State University
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. About 54% of students finish within six years. Westfield State University awarded about 175 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $42,228. Westfield State University graduates carry a median of $24,422 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Westfield State University

23

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 380 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $34,570 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. See the full criminal justice studies program report for California State University Fullerton

24

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #24 position for criminal justice studies this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 542 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $33,261 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,998. See the full criminal justice studies program report for San Diego State University

25

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 134 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $34,551 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from University Of Illinois At Chicago