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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in North Carolina

27 Colleges in the United States
2,649 Criminal Justice Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,479 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 81 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:

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Best Schools for Criminal Justice Studies in North Carolina

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

Top Schools in Criminal Justice Studies

1

Our analysis ranked Appalachian State University the best school in the country for a degree in criminal justice studies. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Appalachian State University awarded about 107 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $35,796 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Appalachian State University

2
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice studies, ranking #2. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice studies program report for High Point University

3

Western Carolina University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice studies, ranking #3. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. Western Carolina University awarded about 139 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $38,682 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,461. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Western Carolina University

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the top schools for criminal justice studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 200 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $36,155 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

5
Pfeiffer University crest
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer, NC

Pfeiffer University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice studies, ranking #5. Located in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Pfeiffer University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Pfeiffer University generally make around $54,891. Pfeiffer University graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Pfeiffer University

6

Wake Technical Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. Wake Technical Community College awarded about 110 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Wake Technical Community College earn around $38,673 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,093 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Wake Technical Community College

7

Vance Granville Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 22 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Vance Granville Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $39,750. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Vance Granville Community College

8
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. About 57 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Gaston College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $50,038 in their early career. Gaston College graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Gaston College

9

Wilkes Community College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 49 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Wilkes Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $41,251. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Wilkes Community College

10

Cape Fear Community College placed #10 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. Cape Fear Community College awarded about 11 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $52,282 in their early career. Cape Fear Community College graduates carry a median of $16,042 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice studies details for Cape Fear Community College

11

Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #11 position for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Rowan Cabarrus Community College awarded about 20 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $46,993 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,625. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Rowan Cabarrus Community College

12

Montgomery Community College earned the #12 position for criminal justice studies this year. Montgomery Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Troy. About 12 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Montgomery Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Montgomery Community College generally make around $38,983. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Montgomery Community College

13

Central Carolina Community College came in at #13 for criminal justice studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Sanford. Central Carolina Community College awarded about 19 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $28,734 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Central Carolina Community College

14

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #14 position for criminal justice studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Pembroke. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 109 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn around $35,553 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of North Carolina At Pembroke

15

Forsyth Technical Community College placed #15 among the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. About 33 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Forsyth Technical Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $35,389. Typical student debt for the program is $21,066. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Forsyth Technical Community College

16

Wayne Community College placed #16 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 12 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Wayne Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Wayne Community College earn around $40,557 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Wayne Community College

17

Stanly Community College earned the #17 position for criminal justice studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Albemarle. About 51 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Stanly Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $41,920 in their early career. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Stanly Community College

18

Mitchell Community College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 29 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Mitchell Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Mitchell Community College earn around $47,001 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,313 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice studies details for Mitchell Community College

19

Guilford Technical Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 76 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Guilford Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Guilford Technical Community College generally make around $34,400. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Guilford Technical Community College

20
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC

Pitt Community College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Pitt Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Winterville. Pitt Community College awarded about 23 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Pitt Community College earn around $33,018 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,900. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Pitt Community College

21

Central Piedmont Community College placed #21 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. There were roughly 88 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $44,616 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,861. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Central Piedmont Community College

22

Johnston Community College landed the #22 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 17 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Johnston Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. Typical student debt for the program is $9,490. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Johnston Community College

23

Wilson Community College placed #23 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilson. Wilson Community College awarded about 19 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $48,304 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,060. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Wilson Community College

24

Fayetteville State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 38%. There were roughly 96 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Fayetteville State University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $29,016 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Fayetteville State University

25

Winston Salem State University came in at #25 for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Winston Salem State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $31,564 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Winston Salem State University

Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice Studies Schools

These schools also placed among the best for criminal justice studies this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Mount Olive College crest
Mount Olive College
Mount Olive, NC
43
44
45
Barton College crest
Barton College
Wilson, NC
46
47
48
Nash Community College crest
Nash Community College
Rocky Mount, NC
49
50

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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 · 81 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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