Criminal Justice & Corrections is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their criminal justice & corrections programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1884 schools to find the best for criminal justice & corrections students.
Leading the list is Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, our #1 school for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 253 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
George Washington University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $51,256 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from George Washington University
A rank of #3 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 214 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
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Northeastern University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 72 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Northeastern University earn around $51,363 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $22,809 in student loans.
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George Mason University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. George Mason University awarded about 365 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from George Mason University earn around $43,612 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,761 to complete this degree.
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Sonoma State University landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Sonoma State University awarded about 64 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $38,444 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
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California State University Sacramento ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 551 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $38,606 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,745.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for California State University Sacramento
California State University East Bay came in at #8 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University East Bay awarded about 119 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $45,387 in their early career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from California State University East Bay
University Of Arizona placed #9 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 136 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $50,834 in their early career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University Of Arizona
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #10 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 89 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $35,572 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,464.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Indiana University Bloomington
Iowa State University landed the #11 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 98 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $41,624 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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American University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. American University awarded about 106 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of American University earn a median of $37,147 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for American University
San Francisco State University landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 168 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $42,211. Students borrow a median of $13,518 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for San Francisco State University
Point Loma Nazarene University placed #14 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. About 24 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Point Loma Nazarene University earn around $45,022 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Point Loma Nazarene University
The College Of New Jersey landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $36,070 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for The College Of New Jersey
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #16 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. About 70% of students finish within six years. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 140 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year.
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Illinois State University landed the #17 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 156 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $37,584 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,531 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Illinois State University
Westfield State University landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Westfield. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 150 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Westfield State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $42,228. Typical student debt for the program is $24,422.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Westfield State University
California State University Long Beach ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 328 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $34,247 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
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Michigan State University placed #20 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 195 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $40,390. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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Florida State University landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. Florida State University awarded about 487 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Florida State University earn around $34,922 in the first couple years of their career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $21,170 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Florida State University
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 172 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $34,611 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,431.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Rutgers University New Brunswick
Arizona State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Arizona State University awarded about 313 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $42,187. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Arizona State University
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned the #24 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 139 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn around $43,490 in the first couple years of their career. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey
California State University Fullerton placed #25 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 380 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $34,570 early in their careers. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for California State University Fullerton
Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1884 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
