2026 Best Criminal Justice Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa tops our 2026 ranking of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 19 criminal justice degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of Northern Iowa earn around $43,748 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice from University Of Northern Iowa

2

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

Students looking for a strong criminal justice program will find one at University Of Central Missouri, which ranked #2. This large public university is located in the town of Warrensburg. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 122 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of Central Missouri earn around $41,494 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,279 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice program at University Of Central Missouri

3

Park University
Parkville, MO

A rank of #3 makes Park University one of the top schools for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Park University graduates 37% of students within six years. Park University awarded about 116 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Park University earn around $49,305 in the first couple years of their career. Park University graduates carry a median of $18,299 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for Park University

4

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice, ranking #4. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Concordia University Saint Paul graduates 45% of students within six years. About 20 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Concordia University Saint Paul in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Concordia University Saint Paul earn around $65,867 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,076. Read more about the criminal justice program at Concordia University Saint Paul

5

Washburn University
Topeka, KS

Washburn University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #5 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Topeka. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Washburn University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $40,052 in their early career. Washburn University graduates carry a median of $20,822 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice program at Washburn University

6

Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint Ambrose University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 18 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $43,579 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,528. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Saint Ambrose University

7

Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, KS

Johnson County Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. About 60 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Johnson County Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $55,171 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,106 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice program at Johnson County Community College

8

Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA

Mount Mercy University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Mount Mercy University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Mount Mercy University earn around $48,841 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Mount Mercy University

9

Columbia College Missouri
Columbia, MO

Columbia College Missouri earned the #9 position for criminal justice this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbia. Columbia College Missouri graduates 43% of students within six years. There were roughly 110 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Missouri in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Columbia College Missouri earn around $46,741 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia College Missouri graduates carry a median of $27,344 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for Columbia College Missouri

10

Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University landed the #10 spot for criminal justice this year. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. There were roughly 216 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Walden University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Walden University earn around $60,276 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $48,133 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Walden University

11

Sterling College Kansas
Sterling, KS

Sterling College Kansas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Sterling College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sterling. Roughly 41% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Sterling College Kansas in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $30,086 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice program at Sterling College Kansas

12

Central Christian College Of Kansas
McPherson, KS

Central Christian College Of Kansas earned the #12 position for criminal justice this year. Set in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Central Christian College Of Kansas in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $55,453 in their early career. Central Christian College Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $36,076 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for Central Christian College Of Kansas

13

Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO

Missouri Southern State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Joplin. Missouri Southern State University graduates 40% of students within six years. About 71 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Missouri Southern State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Missouri Southern State University earn around $32,776 in the first couple years of their career. Missouri Southern State University graduates carry a median of $21,972 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for Missouri Southern State University

14

Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN

Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. Southwest Minnesota State University awarded about 13 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $47,898. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Southwest Minnesota State University

15

Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies
Springfield, MO

Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies graduates 21% of students within six years. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies awarded about 66 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $39,646 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,133. Read more about the criminal justice program at Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies

16

Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences
Fayette, MO

Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences landed the #16 spot for criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences graduates 51% of students within six years. About 17 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $36,223 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full criminal justice program report for Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences

17

Culver Stockton College
Canton, MO

Culver Stockton College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Canton. About 39% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Culver Stockton College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Culver Stockton College earn around $33,394 in the first couple years of their career. Culver Stockton College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice program at Culver Stockton College

18

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
Fayette, MO

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earned the #18 position for criminal justice this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Fayette. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies awarded about 10 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $36,223. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies

19

Lincoln University Missouri
Jefferson City, MO

Lincoln University Missouri came in at #19 for criminal justice this year. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lincoln University Missouri awarded about 12 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $32,331. Typical student debt for the program is $37,171. See the full criminal justice program report for Lincoln University Missouri