Best Law Enforcement colleges in the U.S.
We rely on the work of police officers, detectives, and forensic analysts to maintain order, catch thieves and criminals, and solve crimes locally and nationwide. For students interested in helping others and making a difference in their community, a degree in law enforcement can be a perfect career path.
With a degree in law enforcement or criminal justice, graduates can apply to positions to work directly with criminals and victims in public settings like correctional facilities or police stations, or in the private sector as an investigator. Law enforcement professionals need strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a will to serve and protect the public.
Law enforcement and criminal justice programs typically take two years to complete, and graduates often transfer into a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement program to complete their undergraduate education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that opportunities in this field will grow by seven percent over the next decade, which is an encouraging outlook for those interested in entering the field.
Best Law Enforcement colleges in the U.S. for 2023
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice offers 4 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 1,379 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 1,193 Bachelor's degrees, 131 Master's degrees, and 55 Certificates.
Western Illinois University offers 6 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a remote town. In 2020, 344 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 291 Bachelor's degrees, 49 Master's degrees, and 4 Certificates.
University of Louisville offers 7 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 257 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 132 Bachelor's degrees, 94 Certificates, 27 Master's degrees, and 4 Doctoral degrees.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell offers 3 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2020, 328 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 209 Bachelor's degrees, 97 Master's degrees, and 22 Certificates.
Columbia College offers 6 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2020, 219 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 145 Bachelor's degrees, 49 Associate's degrees, and 25 Master's degrees.
University of New Haven offers 5 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2020, 317 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 244 Bachelor's degrees, 70 Master's degrees, 2 Doctoral degrees, and 1 Certificate.
Virginia Commonwealth University offers 3 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2020, 223 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 218 Bachelor's degrees, 4 Master's degrees, and 1 Certificate.
University of South Carolina-Columbia offers 3 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2020, 191 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 186 Bachelor's degrees, and 5 Master's degrees.
University of Central Missouri offers 5 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a faraway town. In 2020, 145 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 130 Bachelor's degrees, 14 Master's degrees, and 1 Certificate.
St. John's University-New York offers 3 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 191 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 156 Bachelor's degrees, and 35 Master's degrees.
Top schools offering Law Enforcement degrees in the U.S.
List of all Law Enforcement colleges in the U.S.
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY | 40 : 1 | 15,766 | |
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University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZ | 1,122 : 1 | 89,763 | |
|
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University of Phoenix-California Ontario, CA | 3,179 | ||
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Western Illinois University Macomb, IL | 17 : 1 | 7,490 | |
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University of Louisville Louisville, KY | 33 : 1 | 22,211 | |