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 213 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best criminal justice & corrections schools.
Our analysis ranked University Of Arizona the best school in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections. 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. About 136 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,861.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University Of Arizona
Arizona State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections, ranking #2. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 313 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $53,732 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
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A rank of #3 makes Texas Christian University one of the top schools for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. About 93 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $34,556. Typical student debt for the program is $20,429.
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Arizona State University Skysong is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 394 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Arizona State University Skysong earn around $53,732 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
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Students looking for a strong criminal justice & corrections program will find one at Texas State University San Marcos, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. About 344 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $41,939 early in their careers. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Texas State University San Marcos
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 163 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $49,360 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $19,908 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for The University Of Texas At Arlington
University Of North Texas came in at #7 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 235 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $47,072 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,538 to complete this degree.
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Northern Arizona University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $47,056 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,645.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Northern Arizona University
Abilene Christian University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Abilene Christian University graduates 59% of students within six years. About 31 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Abilene Christian University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $56,463 in their early career. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans.
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University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #10 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus 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 University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $53,003 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,156.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Sam Houston State University came in at #11 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Huntsville. Sam Houston State University graduates 55% of students within six years. Sam Houston State University awarded about 921 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $44,668. Typical student debt for the program is $23,218.
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University Of Houston Downtown placed #12 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. University Of Houston Downtown graduates 33% of students within six years. There were roughly 321 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Downtown in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $53,630 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,757.
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Angelo State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Angelo State University graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 57 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Angelo State University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $35,955 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
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Tarleton State University earned the #14 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large public university is located in the town of Stephenville. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 219 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Tarleton State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Tarleton State University earn around $50,979 in the first couple years of their career. Tarleton State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Tarleton State University
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This large public university is located in the town of Nacogdoches. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Stephen F Austin State University awarded about 46 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $40,308 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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Mesa Community College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. There were roughly 154 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Mesa Community College earn around $54,730 in the first couple years of their career. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Mesa Community College
Del Mar College earned the #17 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. About 74 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Del Mar College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,250.
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Lamar Institute Of Technology landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. About 74 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Lamar Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,733. Typical student debt for the program is $15,318.
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Phoenix College came in at #19 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large public university is located in the city of Phoenix. About 61 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Phoenix College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Phoenix College earn around $51,053 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Phoenix College
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #20 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Chandler Gilbert Community College awarded about 117 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $46,943 in their early career. Chandler Gilbert Community College graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #21 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 255 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $42,491 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Central Texas College placed #22 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Central Texas College awarded about 225 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Central Texas College earn around $39,465 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,521 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Central Texas College
Laredo Community College came in at #23 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 56 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Laredo Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $48,194. Typical student debt for the program is $6,000.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Laredo Community College
Pima Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. Pima Community College awarded about 169 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $47,820 early in their careers. Pima Community College graduates carry a median of $7,562 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Pima Community College
Wayland Baptist University placed #25 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Wayland Baptist University graduates 19% of students within six years. There were roughly 74 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Wayland Baptist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Wayland Baptist University earn around $53,038 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Wayland Baptist University
Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections ranking:
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 · 213 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).
