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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Maryland

5 Colleges in the United States
539 Criminal Justice Studies Degrees Awarded
$44,296 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice Studies 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 6 schools to find the best for criminal justice studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Criminal Justice Studies in Maryland

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall criminal justice studies education in Maryland.

Top Schools in Criminal Justice Studies

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Maryland University College the best school in the country for a degree in criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. There were roughly 352 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland University College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $55,479 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,062. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from University Of Maryland University College

2

Frostburg State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 33 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Frostburg State University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $40,844 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Frostburg State University

3
Mcdaniel College crest
Mcdaniel College
Westminster, MD

Mcdaniel College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Westminster. Mcdaniel College graduates 63% of students within six years. Mcdaniel College awarded about 17 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $54,904 in their early career. Mcdaniel College graduates carry a median of $23,247 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Mcdaniel College

4
Hood College crest
Hood College
Frederick, MD

Hood College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Frederick, Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Hood College awarded about 12 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Hood College generally make around $41,764. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Hood College

5

Bowie State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #5 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Bowie. Bowie State University graduates 38% of students within six years. Bowie State University awarded about 89 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Bowie State University earn around $41,367 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,750. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Bowie State University

6

Coppin State University earned the #6 position for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public university. Coppin State University graduates 26% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Coppin State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $31,419. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Coppin State University

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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 · 6 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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