Criminal Justice & Corrections programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 1884 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best criminal justice & corrections schools.
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Choosing a Great Criminal Justice & Corrections School
Where you study criminal justice & corrections matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Criminal Justice & Corrections rankings. For our Best Overall Criminal Justice & Corrections School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Criminal Justice & Corrections in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the criminal justice & corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Virginia Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 728 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $69,126 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 58 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Southern California
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections, ranking #3. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 253 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
A rank of #4 makes University Of San Diego one of the top schools for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 103 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections 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.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University Of San Diego
George Washington University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for George Washington University
San Jose State University placed #6 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 224 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at San Jose State University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. About 37 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $53,543 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
George Mason University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 365 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $49,815. Students borrow a median of $20,761 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from George Mason University
University Of Denver ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 14 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Denver in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Denver earn around $56,999 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University Of Denver
Sonoma State University landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. This moderately-sized public university is 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. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $38,444 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Sonoma State University
Boston University came in at #11 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 119 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,965 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Boston University
Northeastern University ranked #12 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. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 143 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $49,316 in their early career. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $22,809 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Northeastern University
California State University Sacramento ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 560 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $38,606. Typical student debt for the program is $13,745.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from California State University Sacramento
California State University East Bay earned the #14 position 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. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $45,387 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from California State University East Bay
University Of Arizona earned the #15 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 136 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Arizona
American University landed the #16 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. 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. There were roughly 140 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $49,607 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for American University
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #17 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 93 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. Students borrow a median of $19,464 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Indiana University Bloomington
Iowa State University landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 98 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $41,624. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Iowa State University
San Francisco State University landed the #19 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. 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. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $13,518 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at San Francisco State University
Point Loma Nazarene University earned the #20 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 24 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $45,022 early in their careers. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Point Loma Nazarene University
The College Of New Jersey placed #21 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The College Of New Jersey awarded about 39 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $36,070. The College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for The College Of New Jersey
Michigan State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 235 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $57,913 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Michigan State University
Illinois State University landed the #23 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 170 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $37,584 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,531 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Illinois State University
Florida State University placed #24 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Florida State University awarded about 620 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Florida State University earn around $46,245 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,170.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Florida State University
California State University Long Beach landed the #25 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 354 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $40,836. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from California State University Long Beach
Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools also placed among the best for criminal justice & corrections this year:
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 · 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).
