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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate’s Degree Schools

316 Colleges in the United States
24,748 Criminal Justice & Corrections Degrees Awarded
$42,192 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 1884 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for criminal justice & corrections students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Criminal Justice & Corrections in the United States

Below are the best criminal justice & corrections schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Criminal Justice & Corrections

1

Fox Valley Technical College tops our 2026 ranking of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Fox Valley Technical College awarded about 69 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Fox Valley Technical College earn around $39,571 in the first couple years of their career. Fox Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Fox Valley Technical College

2

Santa Rosa Junior College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections, ranking #2. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 110 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $111,649 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Santa Rosa Junior College

3

Students looking for a strong criminal justice & corrections program will find one at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 27 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $44,966 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,252. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

4
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 70 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Salt Lake Community College earn around $44,042 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,334 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Salt Lake Community College

5

Raritan Valley Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 37 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Raritan Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Raritan Valley Community College

6
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 101 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Ferris State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Ferris State University earn around $48,203 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Ferris State University

7

Suffolk County Community College came in at #7 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Suffolk County Community College awarded about 153 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $31,617 early in their careers. Suffolk County Community College graduates carry a median of $7,625 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Suffolk County Community College

8

Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. Alexandria Technical And Community College awarded about 62 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $46,511. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Alexandria Technical And Community College

9

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. About 71 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

10

Madison Area Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. There were roughly 30 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Madison Area Technical College earn around $39,174 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Madison Area Technical College

11

Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #11 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 20 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $43,547 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Western Iowa Tech Community College

12

Southeast Technical Institute earned the #12 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. Southeast Technical Institute awarded about 15 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Southeast Technical Institute earn a median of $49,560 early in their careers. Southeast Technical Institute graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Southeast Technical Institute

13

Chippewa Valley Technical College earned the #13 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. There were roughly 19 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Chippewa Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College earn around $37,671 in the first couple years of their career. Chippewa Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,739 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Chippewa Valley Technical College

14

Bunker Hill Community College placed #14 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This large public university is located in the city of Boston. About 49 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Bunker Hill Community College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $47,573 early in their careers. Bunker Hill Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Bunker Hill Community College

15
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. About 45 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for College Of San Mateo

16
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Grossmont College awarded about 86 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Grossmont College

17
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College earned the #17 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Grand Island. Central Community College awarded about 31 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $43,218 in their early career. Central Community College graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Central Community College

18

Hawkeye Community College placed #18 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Hawkeye Community College awarded about 33 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Hawkeye Community College earn around $49,572 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Hawkeye Community College

19

Lansing Community College landed the #19 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. About 25 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Lansing Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Lansing Community College earn around $46,103 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Lansing Community College

20
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Garden City. Nassau Community College awarded about 112 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $29,837. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Nassau Community College

21

Massachusetts Bay Community College earned the #21 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Massachusetts Bay Community College awarded about 20 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Massachusetts Bay Community College earn around $45,144 in the first couple years of their career. Massachusetts Bay Community College graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Massachusetts Bay Community College

22

Weber State University landed the #22 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Weber State University awarded about 45 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Weber State University earn around $43,281 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,828. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Weber State University

23

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned the #23 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College awarded about 18 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $54,328 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,125. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College

24

Utah Valley University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. About 117 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Utah Valley University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $44,051 in their early career. Utah Valley University graduates carry a median of $18,016 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Utah Valley University

25

Normandale Community College placed #25 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. About 20 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Normandale Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. Normandale Community College graduates carry a median of $12,891 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Normandale Community College

Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong criminal justice & corrections education:

26
College Of The Desert crest
College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA
27
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL
28
29
30
31
32
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
33
34
35
36
37
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
38
39
40
41
42
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL
43
Lake Superior State University crest
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI
44
45
46
Rio Hondo College crest
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA
47
48
49
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
50

Additional Criminal Justice & Corrections Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for criminal justice & corrections:

Rank School Location
#51 Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL
#52 Butte College Oroville, CA
#54 Erie Community College Buffalo, NY
#56 East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CA
#67 Rasmussen College Minnesota St. Cloud, MN
#68 Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CA
#83 Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WI
#84 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
#90 College Of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV
#97 Fresno City College Fresno, CA
#98 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH
#101 Riverside City College Riverside, CA
#105 Victor Valley College Victorville, CA
#112 Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College Cloquet, MN
#114 Valencia College Orlando, FL
#117 Monroe Community College Rochester, NY
#119 Moreno Valley College Moreno Valley, CA
#139 Hillsborough Community College Tampa, FL
#142 Century College White Bear Lake, MN
#143 Purdue University Global West Lafayette, IN
#148 Blackhawk Technical College Janesville, WI
#150 Western Technical College La Cross La Crosse, WI
#151 Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA
#157 Community College Of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA
#160 Yuba College Marysville, CA

Honorable Mentions

A few more criminal justice & corrections schools worth a look:

Other Criminal Justice & Corrections Degree Levels

Explore the best criminal justice & corrections schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Criminal Justice & Corrections
Bachelor's Degrees in Criminal Justice & Corrections
Master's Degrees in Criminal Justice & Corrections
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View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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