2026 Best Criminal Justice Schools

1

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 109 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $69,126 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice from University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Students looking for a strong criminal justice program will find one at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 253 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Read more about the criminal justice program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 103 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of San Diego earn around $143,943 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795. Get the full criminal justice details for University Of San Diego

4

The College Of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ

Students looking for a strong criminal justice program will find one at The College Of New Jersey, which ranked #4. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Ewing. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $36,070 in their early career. The College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice program at The College Of New Jersey

5

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice, ranking #5. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 235 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Michigan State University earn around $57,913 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Michigan State University

6

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno came in at #6 for criminal justice this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Reno. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Nevada Reno awarded about 150 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of Nevada Reno earn around $50,691 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,918. See the full criminal justice program report for University Of Nevada Reno

7

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #7 among the best criminal justice schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 277 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $53,732 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Arizona State University

8

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa landed the #8 spot for criminal justice this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 19 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $43,748 early in their careers. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice from University Of Northern Iowa

9

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice placed #9 among the best criminal justice schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 1,431 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $50,103. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

10

Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT

Charter Oak State College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public university. About 100% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Charter Oak State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $68,956 in their early career. Charter Oak State College graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for Charter Oak State College

11

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 152 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $38,495 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for Virginia Commonwealth University

12

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 67 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. See the full criminal justice program report for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

13

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #13 position for criminal justice this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 367 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $111,649 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,125. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Santa Rosa Junior College

14

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University earned the #14 position for criminal justice this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 107 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $39,857 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Grand Valley State University

15

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #15 for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 72 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of Georgia earn around $37,405 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,978 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for University Of Georgia

16

Raritan Valley Community College
Branchburg, NJ

Raritan Valley Community College placed #16 among the best criminal justice schools. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 37 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Raritan Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Raritan Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for Raritan Valley Community College

17

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University came in at #17 for criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 23 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $44,150 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Aurora University

18

University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven placed #18 among the best criminal justice schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of West Haven. University Of New Haven graduates 63% of students within six years. About 249 criminal justice degrees were awarded at University Of New Haven in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of New Haven earn around $47,026 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for University Of New Haven

19

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $58,306 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice from University Of South Florida Main Campus

20

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 34% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent data year. See the full criminal justice program report for Pennsylvania State University World Campus

21

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 294 criminal justice degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn around $61,649 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates carry a median of $24,822 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for University Of Massachusetts Lowell

22

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #22 spot for criminal justice this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates 54% of students within six years. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 11 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $46,011 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,300. See the full criminal justice program report for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

23

Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI

Roger Williams University landed the #23 spot for criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Bristol, Roger Williams University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 122 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Roger Williams University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $49,996 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Roger Williams University

24

Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA

Robert Morris University came in at #24 for criminal justice this year. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. About 66% of students finish within six years. Robert Morris University awarded about 14 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Robert Morris University generally make around $58,900. Students borrow a median of $26,748 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Robert Morris University

25

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University placed #25 among the best criminal justice schools. This large public university is located in the town of Big Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 34 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Ferris State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Ferris State University earn around $48,266 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,880. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Ferris State University