ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in California

17 Colleges in the United States
4,544 Criminal Justice Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,958 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best criminal justice studies schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
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"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 6
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 43.01), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminal Justice (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Criminal Justice (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Criminal Justice - Criminology & Crime Analysis" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Criminal Justice - Criminology & Crime Analysis" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Law Enforcement (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Law Enforcement (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminal Justice & Law Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Criminal Justice & Law Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Criminology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Criminology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Criminology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 3
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Best Schools for Criminal Justice Studies in California

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 studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Criminal Justice Studies

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Southern California the best school in the country for a degree in criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 58 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. 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

2

A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 224 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from San Jose State University

3
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

A rank of #3 makes Sonoma State University one of the top schools for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Sonoma State University awarded about 64 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $38,444. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice studies details for Sonoma State University

4

California State University Sacramento is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Sacramento awarded about 560 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $38,606 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,745. Get the full criminal justice studies details for California State University Sacramento

5

A rank of #5 makes California State University East Bay one of the top schools for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. California State University East Bay awarded about 119 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $45,387 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice studies program report for California State University East Bay

6

San Francisco State University earned the #6 position for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 168 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data 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. See the full criminal justice studies program report for San Francisco State University

7

Point Loma Nazarene University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 24 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $45,022. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Point Loma Nazarene University

8

California State University Long Beach earned the #8 position for criminal justice studies this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 354 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $40,836 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from California State University Long Beach

9

California State University Fullerton placed #9 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 380 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $34,570 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from California State University Fullerton

10

San Diego State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 542 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from San Diego State University earn around $33,261 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $12,998 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice studies details for San Diego State University

11

California State University Chico ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 118 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $36,045. Typical student debt for the program is $16,331. Get the full criminal justice studies details for California State University Chico

12

California State University Los Angeles placed #12 among the best criminal justice studies schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. About 385 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $32,974. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $11,679 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at California State University Los Angeles

13

California State University Stanislaus earned the #13 position for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 185 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Stanislaus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $34,806 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from California State University Stanislaus

14

California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #14 position for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 198 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $36,092. Typical student debt for the program is $12,256. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at California State University Dominguez Hills

15

California State University San Bernardino landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 254 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $35,029 in their early career. California State University San Bernardino graduates carry a median of $14,917 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from California State University San Bernardino

16

California State University Bakersfield earned the #16 position for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 138 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at California State University Bakersfield in the most recent year. See the full criminal justice studies program report for California State University Bakersfield

17

California State University Northridge came in at #17 for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Northridge awarded about 395 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $34,870 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from California State University Northridge

18

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earned the #18 position for criminal justice studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System awarded about 22 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $65,898 in their early career. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System graduates carry a median of $27,471 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice studies details for Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

19
La Sierra University crest
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA

La Sierra University earned the #19 position for criminal justice studies this year. La Sierra University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 53 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at La Sierra University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from La Sierra University earn around $34,885 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at La Sierra University

20
Ashford University crest
Ashford University
San Diego, CA

Ashford University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Ashford University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 10%. About 289 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Ashford University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $47,257 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $37,625. Get the full criminal justice studies details for Ashford University

21

Platt College Riverside landed the #21 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Platt College Riverside is a small private for-profit institution. Platt College Riverside awarded about 14 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $26,326 in their early career. Platt College Riverside graduates carry a median of $15,065 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Platt College Riverside

ADBLOCK #173
View All Criminal Justice Studies Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 30 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options