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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Ohio

28 Colleges in the United States
2,484 Criminal Justice & Corrections Degrees Awarded
$42,719 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice & Corrections degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their criminal justice & corrections programs.

College Factual analyzed 92 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best criminal justice & corrections schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Criminal Justice & Corrections in Ohio

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.

Top Schools in Criminal Justice & Corrections

1

Our analysis ranked Bowling Green State University Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. About 61% of students finish within six years. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 108 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $36,468 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Bowling Green State University Main Campus

2
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Students looking for a strong criminal justice & corrections program will find one at Cedarville University, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Cedarville University awarded about 14 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Cedarville University graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Cedarville University

3

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. About 318 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $49,712 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,253 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

4

Students looking for a strong criminal justice & corrections program will find one at University Of Dayton, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. University Of Dayton awarded about 47 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Dayton earn around $25,150 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for University Of Dayton

5

Ohio University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. About 10 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $44,159 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Ohio University Main Campus

6

University Of Toledo landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. University Of Toledo graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 66 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of Toledo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $37,548 in their early career. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University Of Toledo

7

Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Cuyahoga Community College District awarded about 32 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $38,595. Typical student debt for the program is $7,149. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Cuyahoga Community College District

8
Walsh University crest
Walsh University
North Canton, OH

Walsh University placed #8 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Canton. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Walsh University awarded about 11 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Walsh University earn around $53,629 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,064 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Walsh University

9
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University came in at #9 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 3%. About 186 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Franklin University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $38,103 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Franklin University

10
Owens Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH

Owens Community College earned the #10 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. About 49 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Owens Community College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $51,319 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Owens Community College

11

Baldwin Wallace College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Berea. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Baldwin Wallace College awarded about 15 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Baldwin Wallace College generally make around $42,407. Baldwin Wallace College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Baldwin Wallace College

12

Lakeland Community College earned the #12 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Kirtland. There were roughly 20 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Lakeland Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $51,941 in their early career. Lakeland Community College graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Lakeland Community College

13

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College came in at #13 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. There were roughly 32 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $38,399 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,799 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College

14

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #14 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. About 18 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Clermont College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $38,399 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,799 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for University Of Cincinnati Clermont College

15
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University came in at #15 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 32 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Xavier University earn around $48,079 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,396. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Xavier University

16

Youngstown State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. Youngstown State University awarded about 90 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $37,325 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,465. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Youngstown State University

17

Kent State University At Kent placed #17 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 125 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $33,980 in their early career. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Kent State University At Kent

18

Central Ohio Technical College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Newark. There were roughly 38 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Central Ohio Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $40,065 in their early career. Central Ohio Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,779 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Central Ohio Technical College

19
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University placed #19 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 19 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Ashland University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $42,172 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,406. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Ashland University

20

North Central State College came in at #20 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. North Central State College awarded about 44 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $50,218 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,782 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at North Central State College

21
Tiffin University crest
Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH

Tiffin University earned the #21 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Tiffin. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. Tiffin University awarded about 30 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Tiffin University earn a median of $53,145 early in their careers. Tiffin University graduates carry a median of $30,758 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Tiffin University

22
Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH

Hocking College earned the #22 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Hocking College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Nelsonville. Hocking College awarded about 40 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Hocking College generally make around $37,002. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Hocking College

23

Marion Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Marion Technical College awarded about 23 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $48,132. Marion Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,828 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Marion Technical College

24

University Of Mount Union came in at #24 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Alliance. About 59% of students finish within six years. University Of Mount Union awarded about 11 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $38,440 in their early career. University Of Mount Union graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Mount Union

25
Defiance College crest
Defiance College
Defiance, OH

Defiance College placed #25 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Defiance, Defiance College is a small private not-for-profit university. Defiance College graduates 31% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Defiance College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $31,528 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,700. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Defiance College

Rest of the Top 49 Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections ranking:

26
27
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
28
29
30
31
32
Wilmington College crest
Wilmington College
Wilmington, OH
33
34
35
36
Muskingum University crest
Muskingum University
New Concord, OH
37
Lake Erie College crest
Lake Erie College
Painesville, OH
38
Central State University crest
Central State University
Wilberforce, OH
39
40
Lourdes College crest
Lourdes College
Sylvania, OH
41
Zane State College crest
Zane State College
Zanesville, OH
42
43
44
Polaris Career Center crest
Polaris Career Center
Middleburg Heights, OH
45
46
47
48
49

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 92 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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