Criminal Justice & Corrections degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 182 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best criminal justice & corrections schools.
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminal Justice (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Criminal Justice (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Law Enforcement (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Law Enforcement (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Corrections (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Corrections (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Administration (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Administration (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminal Justice & Law Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Criminal Justice & Law Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Criminology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Criminology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Criminology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 2
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0
Best Schools for Criminal Justice & Corrections in the The Plains States Region
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 Iowa State University the best school in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Iowa State University awarded about 98 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Iowa State University earn around $41,624 in the first couple years of their career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Iowa State University
University Of North Dakota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections, ranking #2. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Forks. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 70 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of North Dakota earn around $42,825 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,875.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University Of North Dakota
Minnesota State University Mankato is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections, ranking #3. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 83 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $49,019 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Minnesota State University Mankato
A rank of #4 makes Saint Louis University Main Campus one of the top schools for criminal justice & corrections. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 27 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $45,709 early in their careers. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,694 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Saint Louis University Main Campus
University Of Northern Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections, ranking #5. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 19 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $43,748 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University Of Northern Iowa
Rockhurst University came in at #6 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Rockhurst University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $70,849 in their early career. Rockhurst University graduates carry a median of $24,111 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Rockhurst University
Saint Cloud State University earned the #7 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large public university is located in the city of Saint Cloud. About 39% of students finish within six years. About 35 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $49,412. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Saint Cloud State University
Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 20 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent 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.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Western Iowa Tech Community College
Southeast Technical Institute landed the #9 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Southeast Technical Institute awarded about 15 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $49,560 in their early career. Southeast Technical Institute graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Southeast Technical Institute
Winona State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 26 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $48,861. Students borrow a median of $26,012 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Winona State University
Missouri State University Springfield placed #11 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 40 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Missouri State University Springfield
Central Community College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 204 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Central Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Central Community College earn around $43,218 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,277.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Central Community College
Hawkeye Community College came in at #13 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Waterloo. There were roughly 33 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Hawkeye Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $49,572. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Hawkeye Community College
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #14 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 246 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn around $45,897 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,561 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #15 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Winona. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn around $64,894 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,708.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Normandale Community College came in at #16 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 25 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Normandale Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Normandale Community College earn around $53,871 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,891 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Normandale Community College
Bemidji State University came in at #17 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Bemidji State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $49,617. Bemidji State University graduates carry a median of $23,181 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Bemidji State University
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #18 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. About 77 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Des Moines Area Community College earn around $42,555 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Des Moines Area Community College
Lake Area Technical Institute placed #19 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. Lake Area Technical Institute awarded about 18 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Lake Area Technical Institute earn around $41,230 in the first couple years of their career. Lake Area Technical Institute graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Lake Area Technical Institute
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. North Dakota State University Main Campus awarded about 42 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $38,057 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at North Dakota State University Main Campus
University Of Mary earned the #21 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Mary graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Mary awarded about 18 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Mary earn around $65,565 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Mary
Pittsburg State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pittsburg State University awarded about 24 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Pittsburg State University graduates carry a median of $24,843 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Pittsburg State University
Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Alexandria. About 120 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Alexandria Technical And Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Alexandria Technical And Community College earn around $50,433 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,400.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Alexandria Technical And Community College
University Of Central Missouri came in at #24 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large public university is located in the town of Warrensburg. University Of Central Missouri graduates 54% of students within six years. About 122 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $41,494 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,279.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University Of Central Missouri
University Of South Dakota ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of South Dakota in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $40,402 in their early career. University Of South Dakota graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of South Dakota
Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong criminal justice & corrections education:
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 · 182 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).
