Criminal Justice Studies 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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 901 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for criminal justice studies students pursuing a degree.
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/offers.json"
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in criminal justice studies. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Rice Lake. There were roughly 17 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $44,966 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,252.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Salt Lake Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. There were roughly 70 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $44,042 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,334.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Salt Lake Community College
Suffolk County Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice studies, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Selden. Suffolk County Community College awarded about 153 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Suffolk County Community College earn around $31,617 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,625.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Suffolk County Community College
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the town of Bloomsburg. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 59 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Central Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. There were roughly 31 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Central Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Central Community College earn around $43,218 in the first couple years of their career. Central Community College graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Central Community College
Hawkeye Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. Hawkeye Community College awarded about 10 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Hawkeye Community College earn around $49,572 in the first couple years of their career. Hawkeye Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Hawkeye Community College
Weber State University came in at #7 for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 31 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Weber State University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $43,281 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,828.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Weber State University
Gateway Technical College earned the #8 position for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 35 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $38,881 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,417 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Gateway Technical College
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ankeny. Des Moines Area Community College awarded about 16 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $42,555. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Des Moines Area Community College
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. About 61 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Milwaukee Area Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College earn around $38,027 in the first couple years of their career. Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $18,082 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Milwaukee Area Technical College
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #11 for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 21 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Chattahoochee Technical College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,616.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Chattahoochee Technical College
Holyoke Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Holyoke. About 28 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Holyoke Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Holyoke Community College earn around $37,533 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,658 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Holyoke Community College
Phoenix College placed #13 among the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Phoenix. Phoenix College awarded about 35 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Phoenix College graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Phoenix College
Idaho State University placed #14 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Idaho State University graduates 35% of students within six years. About 11 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Idaho State University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $51,446 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,640.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Idaho State University
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 53 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Waukesha County Technical College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $41,591 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,125.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Waukesha County Technical College
Bristol Community College earned the #16 position for criminal justice studies this year. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Bristol Community College awarded about 29 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Bristol Community College earn around $36,706 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,700.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Bristol Community College
Mesa Community College placed #17 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 57 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Mesa Community College
Bucks County Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. There were roughly 39 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Bucks County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $28,719 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,169 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Bucks County Community College
Middlesex Community College Bedford came in at #19 for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. About 25 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Middlesex Community College Bedford in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $41,796 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,950 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Middlesex Community College Bedford
Mid State Technical College came in at #20 for criminal justice studies this year. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. About 14 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Mid State Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Mid State Technical College
Central Texas College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Central Texas College awarded about 44 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $39,465 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,521.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Central Texas College
Liberty University landed the #22 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. Liberty University awarded about 61 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $43,287. Typical student debt for the program is $28,917.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Liberty University
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chandler. There were roughly 46 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,447.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Chandler Gilbert Community College
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Alfred. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Suny College Of Technology At Alfred in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred graduates carry a median of $19,721 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. College Of Southern Nevada awarded about 137 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $26,301 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,687 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at College Of Southern Nevada
Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong criminal justice studies education:
The ranking above is published 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 · 901 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
