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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in North Carolina

35 Colleges in the United States
3,796 Criminal Justice & Corrections Degrees Awarded
$40,673 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice & Corrections is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 95 schools to find the best for criminal justice & corrections students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Criminal Justice & Corrections in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall criminal justice & corrections education in North Carolina.

Top Schools in Criminal Justice & Corrections

1

Our analysis ranked Appalachian State University the best school in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 107 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $35,796. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Appalachian State University

2
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. High Point University graduates 72% of students within six years. High Point University awarded about 44 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for High Point University

3

Western Carolina University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Western Carolina University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 139 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Western Carolina University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $38,682 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,461. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Western Carolina University

4

Students looking for a strong criminal justice & corrections program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 200 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $36,155 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

5
Pfeiffer University crest
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer, NC

A rank of #5 makes Pfeiffer University one of the top schools for criminal justice & corrections. Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Misenheimer. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pfeiffer University awarded about 15 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Pfeiffer University earn around $54,891 in the first couple years of their career. Pfeiffer University graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Pfeiffer University

6
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University placed #6 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Buies Creek. Campbell University graduates 60% of students within six years. Campbell University awarded about 15 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Campbell University earn around $40,590 in the first couple years of their career. Campbell University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Campbell University

7
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 46% of students finish within six years. Wingate University awarded about 18 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Wingate University earn a median of $39,498 early in their careers. Wingate University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Wingate University

8

Wake Technical Community College placed #8 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. Wake Technical Community College awarded about 110 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $38,673 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,093 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Wake Technical Community College

9

Lenoir Rhyne University earned the #9 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Hickory. Lenoir Rhyne University graduates 48% of students within six years. Lenoir Rhyne University awarded about 15 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of $49,985 early in their careers. Lenoir Rhyne University graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Lenoir Rhyne University

10

Vance Granville Community College placed #10 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Henderson. There were roughly 22 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Vance Granville Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $39,750 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,833. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Vance Granville Community College

11
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College came in at #11 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Gaston College awarded about 92 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $50,038 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Gaston College

12

Wilkes Community College placed #12 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 87 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Wilkes Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Wilkes Community College earn around $41,251 in the first couple years of their career. Wilkes Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Wilkes Community College

13

Cape Fear Community College placed #13 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Wilmington. About 57 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Cape Fear Community College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $52,282 early in their careers. Cape Fear Community College graduates carry a median of $16,042 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Cape Fear Community College

14

Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #14 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. About 20 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn around $46,993 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,625. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Rowan Cabarrus Community College

15

North Carolina Wesleyan College placed #15 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. North Carolina Wesleyan College awarded about 67 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of North Carolina Wesleyan College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. North Carolina Wesleyan College graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at North Carolina Wesleyan College

16

Montgomery Community College earned the #16 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Troy, Montgomery Community College is a small public university. Montgomery Community College awarded about 18 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Montgomery Community College earn a median of $38,983 early in their careers. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Montgomery Community College

17
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University landed the #17 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Gardner Webb University awarded about 26 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $35,433 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Gardner Webb University

18

Central Carolina Community College placed #18 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. There were roughly 69 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Central Carolina Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Central Carolina Community College earn around $28,734 in the first couple years of their career. Central Carolina Community College graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Central Carolina Community College

19

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #19 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Pembroke. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 109 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $35,553. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for University Of North Carolina At Pembroke

20

Durham Technical Community College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 43 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Durham Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Durham Technical Community College earn around $49,893 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Durham Technical Community College

21

Forsyth Technical Community College placed #21 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This large public university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. About 58 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Forsyth Technical Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $35,389 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,066. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Forsyth Technical Community College

22

Wayne Community College landed the #22 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Wayne Community College awarded about 31 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $40,557. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Wayne Community College

23

Stanly Community College came in at #23 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Albemarle. About 63 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Stanly Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Stanly Community College

24

Mitchell Community College came in at #24 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 29 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Mitchell Community College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Mitchell Community College earn a median of $47,001 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,313 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Mitchell Community College

25

Coastal Carolina Community College earned the #25 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Coastal Carolina Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Coastal Carolina Community College awarded about 50 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $43,070 in their early career. Coastal Carolina Community College graduates carry a median of $7,125 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Coastal Carolina Community College

Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

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

26
Mars Hill College crest
Mars Hill College
Mars Hill, NC
27
28
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC
29
30
Brevard College crest
Brevard College
Brevard, NC
31
32
Lees Mcrae College crest
Lees Mcrae College
Banner Elk, NC
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for criminal justice & corrections:

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View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >

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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 · 95 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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