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Need help deciding which college to go to for a criminal justice degree? This article will outline the best schools to major in criminal justice.
The criminal justice system deals with law enforcement, courts, and corrections. If you want to pursue a career in criminal justice, you can choose from a variety of majors like criminology, forensic science, sociology, and more. Most schools also offer a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice for a broader education.
If you are looking for the best-suited colleges for such a career path, look no further. This article has established the best criminal justice colleges ranked by student resources, tuition costs, types of programs, and internship opportunities.
As ranked by US News, here are the top 10 colleges offering the best undergraduate majors in criminology. These colleges have criminal justice programs that will suit your needs perfectly!
Investing in a career in criminal justice is a very studious endeavor. You need to select a college that best adheres to your interests, needs, and other circumstances. And there are plenty of criminal justice universities to choose from!
Here is a list of the best colleges for criminal justice with in-state tuition and acceptance rates for you to look at and choose which ones make your list.
In-state tuition: $480-$1,194 per credit hour
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 51%
Ranking: #11 in Best Criminology Schools
You can earn a Bachelor of Science at UMSL through their interdisciplinary Criminology and Criminal Justice program. This program provides a thorough understanding of the justice system while integrating criminology, social science, law, public administration, and corrections.
As one of the best colleges with criminal justice degrees, UMSL opens the door to many career opportunities, such as a corrections officer, legal assistant, or private investigator. Their graduation rate is 53%, and the average starting salary for alumni is around $62,000.
In-state tuition: $31,000 per term
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 18%
Ranking: #12 in Best Criminology Schools
Northeastern University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice that offers students a way to understand, predict, and explain crime and discuss better development of public policies in communities. This program also allows you to combine majors and minors in subjects beyond the criminal justice system.
Students can also participate in neighborhood agencies such as schools, health clinics, and nonprofit organizations. They also offer abroad programs with the immersive Dialogue of Civilizations program alongside international co-ops. They have a graduation rate of 91.2%, and alumni have a starting salary of $79,000.
In-state tuition: $10,108 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 82%
Ranking: #13 in Best Criminology Schools
The Criminology and Criminal Justice degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is geared towards those who want to make a positive impact on their community. Program courses focus on prevention, intervention, and responses to offenses as well as ways to support victims and improve approaches to justice.
Like many other colleges offering a criminal justice major, UNO offers their students extensive internships with various organizations and the chance to engage in hands-on study relating to criminal justice. Most alumni have a starting salary of $60,700, and their graduation rate is around 50%.
In-state tuition: $17,976 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 71%
Ranking: #14 in Best Criminology Schools
Temple’s Criminal Justice BA program helps students to form a deep understanding of the criminal justice system and how it works, both historically and in today’s society. The program emphasizes problem-solving and critical thinking in students and allows for plenty of immersive learning experiences.
Temple University also offers a program known as the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, allowing students to understand how prisoners live in a truly meaningful way. Temple’s graduation rate is 57%, and their alumni have a starting salary of $65,500.
In-state tuition: $3,814 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 41%
Ranking: #15 (tie) in Best Criminology Schools
The John Jay College of Criminal Justice offers a variety of undergraduate programs in criminal justice. They offer links to financial aid programs and scholarships for students seeking it.
Each major and minor involves a highly revolutionized curriculum that covers humanities, natural sciences, arts, and social sciences, which will allow you to choose from a full range of academic interests and opportunities.
This college has 11,200 students per year, with a graduation rate of 52% and alumni earning a starting salary of $31,700.
In-state tuition: $11,370 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 85%
Ranking: #15 (tie) in Best Criminology Schools
Sam Houston State University offers a Criminal Justice degree as either a BA or a BS. Through one of the oldest and most prestigious programs in the US, students will get access to various internships and a close-knit learning community.
Popular courses taken in this program include Cyber Crime, Victimology, and Understanding Human Behavior. Sam Houston State University’s graduation rate is about 50%, and graduates tend to have a starting salary of about $58,300.
In-state tuition: $6,380 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 23%
Ranking: #15 (tie) in Best Criminology Schools
The Criminology program at the University of Florida focuses mainly on the function of law within society. This involves how and why laws have developed, why people break laws, and general reactions to the breaking of laws.
Many students who graduate with a BA in Criminology go on to attend law school. Many others pursue careers in the criminal or justice systems. The University of Florida has a graduation rate of 72.2%. Most of their alumni begin their careers with a salary of $71,900.
In-state tuition: $3,530 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 70%
Ranking: #18 (tie) in Best Criminology Schools
Georgia State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice that has been designed by award-winning faculty in criminology research. You can choose between two concentrations, Crime and Justice or Legal Studies, depending on what your career aspirations look like.
The Criminal Justice program at GSU emphasizes fair and open dialogue, implementing theory with current events, and prioritizing success of their students. Their graduation rate is 91% and alumni have a starting salary of about $63,500.
In-state tuition: $14,040 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 72%
Ranking: #18 (tie) in Best Criminology Schools
The University of Delaware’s Criminal Justice BA program integrates a variety of disciplines in its study of the criminal justice system. Students are also given the opportunity to participate in a practicum with a criminal justice agency, graded on a pass/fail basis.
Graduates from the University of Delaware will find themselves equipped with the breadth of knowledge needed to succeed in a criminal justice career path. The average starting salary for alumni is $71,600, and their graduation rate is 73.7%.
In-state tuition: $6,410 per year
Program duration: 2-4 years
Acceptance rate: 44%
Ranking: #18 (tie) in Best Criminology Schools
The Criminology program at USF prepares students for both a career in the criminal justice system and the pursuit of a graduate degree in Criminology or a related discipline. Students will learn the theory, issues, and methodology of crime and justice as well as necessary critical thinking skills.
The graduation rate of students at USF is 64%. Many alumni find success after graduation, as the average starting salary for graduates of USF is $64,600.
In-state tuition: $55,724 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 41%
Ranking: #21 in Best Criminology Schools
American University offers a BA program in Justice and Law with an introduction to Criminology. This program intends to familiarize students with the American justice system and help them compare it with other systems in other nations.
Students in this program will discuss and analyze critical issues in justice and consider their impact on society as a whole. Graduates of American University are successful with an average early career salary of $71,000 and a graduation rate of 74.3%.
In-state tuition: $5,954 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 41%
Ranking: #22 in Best Criminology Schools
If you want to broaden your knowledge of crime and society’s control mechanisms, then the BA in Criminal Justice at UCF is for you. You’ll dive deep into the workings of many different criminal justice professions and have access to experiential learning and hands-on application opportunities.
UCF prepares students for a successful career in the criminal justice field. Their graduation rate is 76%, and alumni earn an average starting salary of $47,300.
In-state tuition: $15,850 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 86%
Ranking: #23 (tie) in Best Criminology Schools
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at UMass Lowell not only ensures that students receive a strong foundational knowledge of the criminal justice system, but also provides a well-rounded liberal arts education. Students both learn about the inner workings of the systems as well as how to apply their knowledge practically.
This program particularly focuses on areas such as criminal justice processes, law enforcement and adjudication, and corrections, among others. UMass Lowell has a graduation rate of 63%, and the average alumni starting salary is about $58,700.
In-state tuition: $12,688 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 64%
Ranking: #23 (tie) in Best Criminology Schools
From prevention to community response, the Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina instructs students in all aspects of crime. Though the program is rooted in theory, students will also learn the necessary critical thinking skills to apply their knowledge to reality.
This program also has a strong emphasis on research and hands-on involvement to prepare students for their future careers. The USC graduation rate is about 76% and their alumni earn an average early career salary of $65,800.
In-state tuition: $5,777 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 83%
Ranking: #23 (tie) in Best Criminology Schools
Washington State University prepares students to make a positive difference in the world through their Criminal Justice program. The program equips students with leadership abilities, practical knowledge, and advanced critical thinking skills, so that they can succeed in a wide variety of career paths.
WSU has a graduation rate of 64%. Their alumni tend to earn a starting salary of about $69,200.
In-state tuition: $393 per credit hour
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 95%
Ranking: #32 (tie) in Best Criminology Schools
Old Dominion University offers a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Students are also given the option to earn departmental honors, which are programs that provide undergraduate students with more opportunities to advance in their studies and a chance to work independently with any department faculty.
You can choose to research or do a hands-on position in the program; in your senior year, you will be handed a capstone research project and internship credit for the coursework you have done over the years. Their internship has a 100% placement rate with the Delaware State Police, United States Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and many more.
The school has a graduation rate of 57%, with alumni having a starting salary of $64,100.
In-state tuition: $11,478 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 59%
Ranking: #32 (tie) in Regional Colleges Midwest
The University of Minnesota Crookston offers a Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science degree that focuses on law enforcement, corrections, and many other public and private agencies.
In order to complete the degree, you must complete 35 credits in your core courses, liberal arts courses, and technology requirements. Then you must complete 12 credits in their corrections emphasis section and an additional 18 credits in their law enforcement emphasis.
Students in the program can also apply for jobs with campus security. The graduation rate is 56%, with alumni getting a starting salary of $55,010.
In-state tuition: $53,300 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 73%
Ranking: #86 (tie) in National Liberal Arts Colleges
Stonehill College offers a criminal justice undergraduate program where students will learn about the political, cultural, and economic patterns that define crime, the practice of law, and the criminal justice system as a whole. You will be allowed to learn about the causes and consequences of crime, as well as crime control solutions.
This program offers a broader platform on crime and justice and has courses that examine the nature of groups and individuals who are conflicted with law, social harm, and victims of crime. The four-year graduation rate is 75%, with alumni having a starting salary of $68,600.
In-state tuition: $23,800 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 99%
Ranking: N/A
Liberty University’s Helms School of Government offers a multitude of criminal justice degrees in which you will learn about theoretical and practical aspects of law enforcement and levels of government. Students can perform activities alongside local and national law enforcement and homeland security agencies, with graduates being offered employment by the same agencies.
You can take classes in person or online, with Liberty University offering scholarships for those seeking financial aid. The graduation rate is 53%, with alumni earning a starting salary of $47,500.
In-state tuition: $58,620 per year
Program duration: 4 years
Acceptance rate: 7%
Ranking: #6 in National Universities
The University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences offers a 4-year program undergraduate degree in Criminology. It is the only criminology program offered in an Ivy League university. Financial aid and scholarships are available for students at the institution.
In order to complete the Criminology major, you must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0, a satisfactory performance in their course CRIM 1410, taken in the Fall semester of your senior year. They have a graduation rate of 96%, with most of its alumni starting a job with a salary of $92,800.
Still, have questions concerning which college is best for you? Here are some general questions that will provide more information in your decision-making.
In order to see which school best adheres to your interests, you should ask yourself some questions: is the tuition too much for me? Is the location of the school adaptable? Am I willing to travel or commute? Do the program courses best fit with my career interests?
You ask these questions to perform an order of elimination of the schools to see which ones are on your top list (it is best to have three or four top choices by the end).
Yes, depending on which school you apply to. Aside from undergraduate degrees, some offer degrees in specialized criminology programs, and some have graduate programs you can continue your major in.
It depends on what the programs require. You will learn about crime, but you will also learn different aspects of crime, such as at-risk communities, crime theories (like the Broken Window theory), race and justice, diversity in the law, and many more.
They are usually not required, but taking some courses in high school will offer you a preview of what you will be studying in your criminal justice program. Some courses you can take in high school are:
When considering a criminal justice major, some skills you need to excel in the program include active listening, empathy, conflict resolution, and, most importantly, flexibility. When you get into criminal justice, you are required to have moral, ethical, and legal standards and a diverse understanding of the law to be a well-rounded individual while working with legal issues, criminology, and justice.
Some of these colleges do. It all depends on the program. Enriched programs can offer students the choice to do coursework or co-op programs while studying, while other schools have requirements for students to do placement work. Each school offers resources for internships and opportunities for those seeking them; you have to check out their resource pages or contact the program coordinator for more information.
Once you have obtained a degree in criminal justice, you have opened up a wide range of productive and rewarding job opportunities and carer paths. You can work in both the public and private sectors and gain flexibility when deciding on a career. Some of the most common careers you can participate in are:
You will likely need to have an understanding of basic mathematics for your criminal justice degree. Many criminal justice careers use statistics and probability, so it’s wise to take related introductory courses. Beyond this, you should look into the specific requirements for the school you’re applying to.
Being interested in criminal justice is an amazing career choice. You can check out high-quality schools that offer degrees in criminal justice and other crime-related fields.
Criminal Justice majors analyze and practice theories used in the criminal justice system. This allows them to better understand crime, the judicial system, and crime’s overall effect on society so that they can create solutions to ensure a healthier environment.
Exploring top schools can facilitate your choices in picking the right program and can jumpstart the road ahead into a professional career in law enforcement and crime prevention.
