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

2026 Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Pennsylvania

21 Colleges in the United States
1,362 Criminal Justice Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,236 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their criminal justice studies programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for criminal justice studies students pursuing a degree.

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 Pennsylvania

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

No school ranked higher than West Chester University Of Pennsylvania this year for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 161 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. See the full criminal justice studies program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the top schools for criminal justice studies. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 72 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $36,959 in their early career. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

3

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. 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

4

Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Pennsylvania State University World Campus graduates 34% of students within six years. About 73 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Pennsylvania State University World Campus

5
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice studies, ranking #5. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 185 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Temple University earn a median of $38,612 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Temple University

6

University Of Scranton ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Scranton graduates 80% of students within six years. About 20 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of Scranton in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $32,300 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of Scranton

7

Gannon University came in at #7 for criminal justice studies this year. Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Gannon University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Gannon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $39,788 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,594. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Gannon University

8

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earned the #8 position for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. About 20% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington

9

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #9 position for criminal justice studies this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates 54% of students within six years. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 71 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn around $37,311 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

10

Pennsylvania Western University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 27 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent data year. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Pennsylvania Western University

11

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earned the #11 position for criminal justice studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Middletown. About 26% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg awarded about 28 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg

12
Immaculata University crest
Immaculata University
Immaculata, PA

Immaculata University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Immaculata, Immaculata University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Immaculata University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Immaculata University earn a median of $64,223 early in their careers. Immaculata University graduates carry a median of $27,738 in student loans. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Immaculata University

13
Desales University crest
Desales University
Center Valley, PA

Desales University came in at #13 for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 31 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Desales University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $50,841 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Desales University

14

Bucks County Community College came in at #14 for criminal justice studies this year. 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. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Bucks County Community College

15

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 57 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $35,206 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,888 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice studies details for East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania

16

Northampton County Area Community College placed #16 among the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Northampton County Area Community College awarded about 50 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $31,430 early in their careers. Northampton County Area Community College graduates carry a median of $17,449 in student loans. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Northampton County Area Community College

17

Lehigh Carbon Community College earned the #17 position for criminal justice studies this year. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. There were roughly 17 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh Carbon Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Lehigh Carbon Community College earn around $33,360 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Get the full criminal justice studies details for Lehigh Carbon Community College

18

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Reading. About 30% of students finish within six years. About 12 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks in the most recent year. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks

19

Mercyhurst College came in at #19 for criminal justice studies this year. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Mercyhurst College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Mercyhurst College earn around $38,557 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,274. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Mercyhurst College

20

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Altoona. About 16% of students finish within six years. About 19 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona in the most recent year. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona

21
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University came in at #21 for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 28 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at La Salle University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from La Salle University earn around $38,832 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full criminal justice studies details for La Salle University

22

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #22 position for criminal justice studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Shippensburg. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 63 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $40,025. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania

23

Neumann University landed the #23 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Aston, Neumann University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 15 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Neumann University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Neumann University earn around $41,637 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Neumann University

24
Kings College crest
Kings College
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Kings College placed #24 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Kings College graduates 60% of students within six years. Kings College awarded about 32 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Kings College generally make around $35,761. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Kings College

25

Delaware County Community College placed #25 among the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Media. There were roughly 23 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Delaware County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $57,464 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,163 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Delaware County Community College

Rest of the Top 33 Criminal Justice Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice studies ranking:

26
Seton Hill University crest
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA
27
28
Holy Family University crest
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA
29
Rosemont College crest
Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA
30
La Roche College crest
La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA
31
Point Park University crest
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, PA
32
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania crest
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania
Lincoln University, PA
33

ADBLOCK #173
View All Criminal Justice Studies Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

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 · 53 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