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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Criminal Justice Schools in Florida

17 Colleges in the United States
957 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
$45,318 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools to find the best for criminal justice students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Criminal Justice in Florida

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

Top Schools in Criminal Justice

1

University Of South Florida Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in criminal justice. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. About 77% of students finish within six years. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 25 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $58,306 early in their careers. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for University Of South Florida Main Campus

2
Lynn University crest
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL

Lynn University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #2 spot this year. Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boca Raton. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Lynn University awarded about 31 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $39,496 in their early career. Lynn University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for Lynn University

3

Students looking for a strong criminal justice program will find one at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 13 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $41,963. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice program at Florida Atlantic University

4

Indian River State College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. There were roughly 24 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Indian River State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $51,825. Typical student debt for the program is $9,176. See the full criminal justice program report for Indian River State College

5
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 137 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Broward College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Broward College generally make around $34,607. Students borrow a median of $10,724 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice program at Broward College

6

Seminole State College Of Florida earned the #6 position for criminal justice this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. About 14 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Seminole State College Of Florida in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $36,589 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,942. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Seminole State College Of Florida

7
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College earned the #7 position for criminal justice this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. St Petersburg College awarded about 17 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from St Petersburg College earn around $48,218 in the first couple years of their career. St Petersburg College graduates carry a median of $14,080 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for St Petersburg College

8

Eastern Florida State College came in at #8 for criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. Eastern Florida State College awarded about 23 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Eastern Florida State College earn around $51,461 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,635. Get the full criminal justice details for Eastern Florida State College

9
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. About 13 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Daytona State College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $52,755 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,169 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Daytona State College

10
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Valencia College earned the #10 position for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. There were roughly 135 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Valencia College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Valencia College earn around $33,246 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500. Read more about the criminal justice program at Valencia College

11

Hillsborough Community College came in at #11 for criminal justice this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. There were roughly 103 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Hillsborough Community College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $47,631 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,789. Get the full criminal justice details for Hillsborough Community College

12

Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #12 spot for criminal justice this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. There were roughly 36 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Florida State College At Jacksonville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $60,055 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,796. Read more about the criminal justice program at Florida State College At Jacksonville

13
Polk State College crest
Polk State College
Winter Haven, FL

Polk State College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice this year. This large public university is located in the city of Winter Haven. There were roughly 32 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Polk State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Polk State College generally make around $47,071. Students borrow a median of $14,451 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Polk State College

14

Miami Dade College earned the #14 position for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Miami Dade College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $34,209. Students borrow a median of $9,563 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice program at Miami Dade College

15
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL

Edison State College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Fort Myers. About 41 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Edison State College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $52,597 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,356. Read more about the criminal justice program at Edison State College

16

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earned the #16 position for criminal justice this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 167 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Keiser University Ft Lauderdale in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $37,734 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $34,608 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Keiser University Ft Lauderdale

17

College Of Central Florida landed the #17 spot for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Ocala, College Of Central Florida is a moderately-sized public university. About 19 criminal justice degrees were awarded at College Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $48,055 in their early career. College Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $18,934 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice from College Of Central Florida

18

Tallahassee Community College came in at #18 for criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public institution. Tallahassee Community College awarded about 10 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Tallahassee Community College earn a median of $43,235 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,862 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Tallahassee Community College

19

State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota landed the #19 spot for criminal justice this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Bradenton. There were roughly 37 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota generally make around $50,906. Students borrow a median of $17,360 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice program at State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota

20

Webber International University earned the #20 position for criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Babson Park, Webber International University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 25% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Webber International University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Webber International University earn a median of $35,052 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,831 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Webber International University

21
Florida Memorial University crest
Florida Memorial University
Miami Gardens, FL

Florida Memorial University earned the #21 position for criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Miami Gardens, Florida Memorial University is a small private not-for-profit university. Florida Memorial University graduates 31% of students within six years. About 11 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Florida Memorial University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Florida Memorial University generally make around $48,602. Florida Memorial University graduates carry a median of $31,300 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for Florida Memorial University

22

Florida National University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Hialeah, Florida National University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. Florida National University Main Campus awarded about 14 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Florida National University Main Campus earn a median of $45,302 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,884. Read more about the criminal justice program at Florida National University Main Campus

23

Strayer University Florida ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Tampa, Strayer University Florida is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Strayer University Florida graduates 100% of students within six years. Strayer University Florida awarded about 22 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $43,405 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $56,937. Read more about the criminal justice program at Strayer University Florida

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 41 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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