2026 Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Far Western Region

1

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

Leading the list is University Of San Diego, our #1 school for criminal justice. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 103 criminal justice degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $143,943 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795. Get the full criminal justice details for University Of San Diego

2

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. University Of Nevada Reno graduates 61% of students within six years. About 150 criminal justice degrees were awarded at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $50,691. University Of Nevada Reno graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice from University Of Nevada Reno

3

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

A rank of #3 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the top schools for criminal justice. 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. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $111,649. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for Santa Rosa Junior College

4

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. College Of San Mateo awarded about 48 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for College Of San Mateo

5

Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Students looking for a strong criminal justice program will find one at Grossmont College, which ranked #5. This large public university is located in the suburb of El Cajon. There were roughly 94 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Grossmont College in the most recent data year. Get the full criminal justice details for Grossmont College

6

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College placed #6 among the best criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. About 78 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $33,692. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Mt San Antonio College

7

Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College came in at #7 for criminal justice this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Oroville. Butte College awarded about 74 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Butte College earn a median of $73,170 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,414 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Butte College

8

Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College earned the #8 position for criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. About 108 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Sacramento City College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Sacramento City College earn around $31,146 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,760. Read more about the criminal justice program at Sacramento City College

9

Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College placed #9 among the best criminal justice schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. Chabot College awarded about 40 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,122. Read more about the criminal justice program at Chabot College

10

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. College Of The Canyons awarded about 81 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Typical student debt for the program is $9,776. Get the full criminal justice details for College Of The Canyons

11

Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA

Rio Hondo College placed #11 among the best criminal justice schools. This very large public university is located in the rural area of Whittier. There were roughly 152 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Rio Hondo College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Rio Hondo College generally make around $95,666. Students borrow a median of $15,510 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice program at Rio Hondo College

12

Southwestern College Chula Vista
Chula Vista, CA

Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. Southwestern College Chula Vista awarded about 137 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Southwestern College Chula Vista generally make around $30,983. Typical student debt for the program is $11,205. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Southwestern College Chula Vista

13

College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA

College Of The Desert landed the #13 spot for criminal justice this year. This large public university is located in the city of Palm Desert. About 88 criminal justice degrees were awarded at College Of The Desert in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from College Of The Desert generally make around $32,482. Typical student debt for the program is $7,826. Get the full criminal justice details for College Of The Desert

14

De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College earned the #14 position for criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. De Anza College awarded about 40 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271. More information about a degree in criminal justice from De Anza College

15

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University earned the #15 position for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 56 criminal justice degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from California Baptist University earn around $35,960 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,372. More information about a degree in criminal justice from California Baptist University

16

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College placed #16 among the best criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. About 68 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Pasadena City College earn around $28,492 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Pasadena City College

17

Yuba College
Marysville, CA

Yuba College earned the #17 position for criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. Yuba College awarded about 24 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $62,350 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Yuba College

18

Ohlone Community College
Fremont, CA

Ohlone Community College earned the #18 position for criminal justice this year. Ohlone Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fremont. Ohlone Community College awarded about 20 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Ohlone Community College earn around $22,545 in the first couple years of their career. Ohlone Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Ohlone Community College

19

Napa Valley College
Napa, CA

Napa Valley College landed the #19 spot for criminal justice this year. Napa Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Napa. About 17 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Napa Valley College in the most recent year. See the full criminal justice program report for Napa Valley College

20

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom
Lakewood, WA

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom placed #20 among the best criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public institution. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom awarded about 54 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn a median of $39,975 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom

21

Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College placed #21 among the best criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. About 64 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $27,813 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205. Read more about the criminal justice program at Diablo Valley College

22

East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College landed the #22 spot for criminal justice this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Monterey Park. There were roughly 303 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at East Los Angeles College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Typical student debt for the program is $8,180. Read more about the criminal justice program at East Los Angeles College

23

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College placed #23 among the best criminal justice schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Moorpark. About 60 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Moorpark College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice program at Moorpark College

24

Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA

Los Angeles Pierce College earned the #24 position for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public university. About 82 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Los Angeles Pierce College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $12,477 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Los Angeles Pierce College

25

City College Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

City College Of San Francisco earned the #25 position for criminal justice this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. There were roughly 47 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $100,031 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,332. More information about a degree in criminal justice from City College Of San Francisco