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.

Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the US

Best Law Enforcement colleges in the U.S. for 2023

Image by Tommy Gao

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
Louisville, KY

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
Columbia, MO

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
West Haven, CT
Image by Zrosen88

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.

Image by jay8085

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.

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 Logo CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY
2/5
40 : 1 15,766
University of Phoenix-Arizona Logo University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZ
3/5
1,122 : 1 89,763
University of Phoenix-California Logo University of Phoenix-California Ontario, CA
3/5
  3,179
Western Illinois University Logo Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
3/5
17 : 1 7,490
University of Louisville Logo University of Louisville Louisville, KY
3/5
33 : 1 22,211