Best Criminal Justice Colleges in California
We have created a 2020 ranking of the best colleges in California that offer Criminal Justice degrees to help you find a school that fits your needs. Each school's ranking is based on the compilation of our data from reliable government sources, student surveys, college graduate interviews, and editorial review. In addition, you can view our entire list of all 24 Criminal Justice schools located within California. We also provide reviews, facts, and questions and answers for schools on our site and offer you access to get valuable information from colleges and universities today.
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in California for 2020
| Rank | School Name | Location | Description | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA |
San Diego State University offers 2 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 398 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 398 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 44 Reviews |
Read more: San Diego State University Reviews
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| 2 | California State University-Sacramento | Sacramento, CA |
California State University-Sacramento offers 3 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 430 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 427 Bachelor's degrees, and 3 Master's degrees. | Based on 60 Reviews | ||
| 3 | California State University-Fullerton | Fullerton, CA |
California State University-Fullerton offers 2 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large suburb. In 2015, 318 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 318 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 44 Reviews | ||
| 4 | San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA |
San Francisco State University offers 2 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 246 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 246 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 24 Reviews |
Read more: San Francisco State University Reviews
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| 5 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA |
San Jose State University offers 3 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 195 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 184 Bachelor's degrees, and 11 Master's degrees. | Based on 64 Reviews |
Read more: San Jose State University Reviews
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| 6 | California State University-Long Beach | Long Beach, CA |
California State University-Long Beach offers 3 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 131 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 126 Bachelor's degrees, and 5 Master's degrees. | Based on 40 Reviews | ||
| 7 | California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
California State University-Los Angeles offers 3 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 195 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 193 Bachelor's degrees, and 2 Master's degrees. | Based on 36 Reviews | ||
| 8 | California State University-San Bernardino | San Bernardino, CA |
California State University-San Bernardino offers 3 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 214 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 208 Bachelor's degrees, and 6 Master's degrees. | Based on 32 Reviews | ||
| 9 | California State University-Chico | Chico, CA |
California State University-Chico offers 2 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a small city. In 2015, 131 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 131 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 24 Reviews |
Read more: California State University-Chico Reviews
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| 10 | Sonoma State University | Rohnert Park, CA |
Sonoma State University offers 2 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a medium sized public university in a large suburb. In 2015, 99 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 99 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 8 Reviews |
Read more: Sonoma State University Reviews
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List of all Criminal Justice Colleges in California
| School Logo | School Name | Average tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
San Diego State University San Diego, CA |
2/5
|
31 : 1 | 34,254 |
|
|
California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, CA |
2/5
|
31 : 1 | 30,284 |
|
California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, CA |
2/5
|
30 : 1 | 38,948 |
|
|
San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA |
2/5
|
28 : 1 | 30,256 |
|
|
San Jose State University San Jose, CA |
2/5
|
31 : 1 | 32,773 |
|
California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA |
2/5
|
27 : 1 | 37,446 |
|
|
California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA |
2/5
|
32 : 1 | 27,680 |
|
|
California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA |
2/5
|
33 : 1 | 20,024 |
|
|
California State University-Chico Chico, CA |
2/5
|
26 : 1 | 17,220 |
|
|
Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA |
2/5
|
28 : 1 | 9,408 |
|
California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA |
5/5
|
16 : 1 | 4,126 |
|
California State University-Dominguez Hills Carson, CA |
2/5
|
31 : 1 | 14,635 |
|
California State University-East Bay Hayward, CA |
2/5
|
31 : 1 | 15,528 |
|
California State University-Stanislaus Turlock, CA |
2/5
|
25 : 1 | 9,282 |
|
La Sierra University Riverside, CA |
5/5
|
16 : 1 | 2,476 |
|
California State University-Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA |
2/5
|
29 : 1 | 9,228 |
|
United Education Institute-Huntington Park Campus Huntington Park, CA | 63 : 1 | 624 | |
|
Brandman University Irvine, CA |
3/5
|
27 : 1 | 8,004 |
|
UEI College-Gardena Gardena, CA | 51 : 1 | 762 | |
|
Platt College-Los Angeles Alhambra, CA |
4/5
|
19 : 1 | 639 |
|
Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA | 11 : 1 | 4,490 | |
|
Platt College-Ontario Ontario, CA |
4/5
|
14 : 1 | 456 |
|
Platt College-Riverside Riverside, CA |
4/5
|
22 : 1 | 436 |
|
San Diego State University-Imperial Valley Campus Calexico, CA |
Find Local Colleges with Criminal Justice Majors in California
Search Criminal Justice Programs
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Program Descriptions
- MBA: Homeland Security
- DBA: Homeland Security: Leadership & Policy
- Ph.D IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION: Homeland Security: Leadership & Policy
- BBA - Homeland Security
![Northcentral University Logo]()
MBA: Homeland SecurityThis specialization is focused on the preparation of senior managers of law enforcement, public safety, and emergency medical care and disaster preparedness agencies for positions of executive leadership in the field of homeland security. The specialization courses span the spectrum of management, budgetary rules, personnel, and critical issues relating to crisis management and terrorism prevention and response. The final specialization project will assess competencies learned within the previous specialization courses. Graduates are prepared to assume management positions in government from local to federal levels.DBA: Homeland Security: Leadership & PolicyThis doctoral specialization is focuses on developing senior leaders of public administration, law enforcement, public safety, and emergency medical care and disaster preparedness agencies for executive leadership positions in the field of homeland security. Students are provided with a rigorous educational opportunity to research and explore advanced concepts and methods, and apply theory and emerging concepts to real world issues through innovative approaches to complex problems. Students will choose from a number of courses that cover terrorism, strategy, intelligence, emergency management, and critical infrastructure security issues. Students will complete a final written research project demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a workplace problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action. Graduates are prepared to assume senior executive positions in government from local to federal levels with an emphasis on the practical application of concepts.Ph.D IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION: Homeland Security: Leadership & PolicyThis doctoral specialization is focuses on developing senior leaders of public administration, law enforcement, public safety, and emergency medical care and disaster preparedness agencies for executive leadership positions in the field of homeland security. Students are provided with a rigorous educational opportunity to research and explore advanced concepts and methods, and apply theory and emerging concepts to real world issues through innovative approaches to complex problems. Students will choose from a number of courses that cover terrorism, strategy, intelligence, emergency management, and critical infrastructure security issues. Students will complete a final written research project demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a workplace problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action. Graduates are prepared to assume senior executive positions in government from local to federal levels with an emphasis on the practical application of concepts.BBA - Homeland SecurityHomeland Security remains a growing and important career field. If you are ready to take your homeland security career to a higher degree, Northcentral University's School of Business and Technology Management offers Homeland Security specialized degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Our online learning environment supports your personal and professional lifestyle, while allowing you to pursue a rigorous education designed to help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to advance in your field. -
Program Descriptions
- B.A. in Government with an Emphasis in Legal Studies
- B.A. in Government with an Emphasis in State and Local Public Policy
- B.S. in Justice Studies
- B.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management
- M.S. in Leadership: Disaster Preparedness & Executive Fire Leadership
- Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government and Policy
![Grand Canyon University Logo]()
B.A. in Government with an Emphasis in Legal StudiesThe fascinating and expansive arena of law represents diversity among academic backgrounds. From the paralegal professions to the demanding rigor of law school, the legal domain shares a common set of interdisciplinary themes that are essential for success in these disciplines. Rooted in the study of politics, policy and law, GCU's government degree in legal studies blends an interdisciplinary curriculum with communication, philosophy and business. It serves as a pre-law degree that offers a foundation in ethical leadership and the knowledge to excel in law school.B.A. in Government with an Emphasis in State and Local Public PolicyAs the 21st century drives us forward, a push toward greater transparency and effective governance reflects upon the standing of distinguished policy makers and administrators in the legislative branches. The age of information and the innovative, open forums of communication – blogs, social media and the internet as a whole – demand a comprehensive understanding of the political forces in this arena. The bachelor's degree in government for state and local public policy envisions strong political leadership, which improves and makes a difference in the lives of people in their communities. The program, which serves as an alternative to a political science degree, explores the scope of governance and democracy through patterns of political behavior.B.S. in Justice StudiesGrand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies prepares students to enter careers in law enforcement, governmental and private agencies, research, social work, political science, and a variety of other fields. Graduates will be able to describe the components of the justice system from a systems perspective, including function, organization, issues, practices, and interrelationship of law enforcement agencies, the courts, and the corrections system.B.S. in Public Safety and Emergency ManagementGrand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Public Safety and Emergency Management program is a bachelor’s degree completion program that provides a theoretical and applied approach to the professional education of students, while ensuring relevance to the homeland security and public safety industries. The program emphasizes the fundamentals of emergency management while providing an interdisciplinary course of study in the skills and practices of emergency planning and management. Candidates for the degree include those working in or desirous of working in one of several fields, including emergency management, fire protection, emergency medical response, law enforcement, environmental health and safety, and other related fields. The program highlights the application of research methodology; the utilization of communication skills at the personal, professional, and public level; and the development of professional skills and knowledge in the fields of public safety and emergency management.M.S. in Leadership: Disaster Preparedness & Executive Fire LeadershipGrand Canyon University’s Master of Science in Leadership with an Emphasis in Disaster Preparedness and Executive Fire Leadership provides students with the skills to develop professionally and gain self-confidence in their own leadership styles. The program offers an opportunity for graduates of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program (NFA-EEOP) to complete a graduate degree. Students learn to integrate a conceptual foundation for an executive leadership role that emphasizes the immediate application of ethical and practical leadership skills as well as disaster preparation and crisis management. Environmental issues directly related to leadership skills development and content required of leaders in the area of emergency public safety and disaster preparedness will also be addressed.Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government and PolicyThe Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Government and Policy prepares students for careers in the public sector. The program is targeted at individuals working or desirous of finding employment in all levels of government. The core coursework gives students the opportunity to apply administrative skills in the areas of economics, leadership, human capital development, and governance within the public sector environment. Emphasis courses will challenge students to identify and provide solutions for the unique issues facing public sector organizations in the areas of financial management, inter-agency cooperation, policy and law.
Additional Criminal Justice Degree Facts for California Schools
California Schools offering online Criminal Justice degrees
Online Criminal Justice degrees are available at a variety of different schools with as many as 100 degrees earned at the most popular school. Read more below about all schools that have offered online Criminal Justice degrees. If you are interested learning more about getting a degree online, check out our page dedicated to online degree information.
| School Name | Certificate | Associate's | Bachelor's | Master's | Doctoral |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandman University | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
| California State University-San Bernardino | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
- 1 Bachelor's
- 1 Master's
What Criminal Justice degree programs were earned in California?
| Degree Level | Program Length | Colleges | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate's | 2-year Length | 29 Colleges | 367 Graduates |
| Bachelor's | 4-year Length | 23 Colleges | 4,017 Graduates |
| Master's | 1+ years Length | 7 Colleges | 38 Graduates |