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 2026
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice offers 7 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 1,464 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 1,265 Bachelor's degrees, 164 Master's degrees, and 35 Certificates.
University of Phoenix-Arizona offers 6 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a very large, private for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 849 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 673 Bachelor's degrees, 167 Master's degrees, and 9 Certificates.
University of Phoenix-California offers 3 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2024, 5 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 5 Bachelor's degrees.
University of New Haven offers 8 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 362 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 198 Bachelor's degrees, 132 Master's degrees, 29 Certificates, 2 Associate's degrees, and 1 Doctoral degree.
Western Illinois University offers 6 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a remote town. In 2024, 201 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 166 Bachelor's degrees, 29 Master's degrees, and 6 Certificates.
University of Louisville offers 5 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 239 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 131 Bachelor's degrees, 74 Certificates, 32 Master's degrees, and 2 Doctoral degrees.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell offers 6 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 300 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 178 Bachelor's degrees, 78 Master's degrees, and 44 Certificates.
Columbia College offers 3 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2024, 110 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 72 Bachelor's degrees, 19 Associate's degrees, and 19 Master's degrees.
University of South Carolina-Columbia offers 4 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2024, 233 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 224 Bachelor's degrees, and 9 Master's degrees.
University of Central Missouri offers 6 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a faraway town. In 2024, 124 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 100 Bachelor's degrees, 19 Certificates, and 5 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 | 33 : 1 | 13,763 | |
|
University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZ | 1,264 : 1 | 111,248 | |
|
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University of Phoenix-California Ontario, CA | 34 | ||
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University of New Haven West Haven, CT | 32 : 1 | 9,229 | |
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University of Louisville Louisville, KY | 32 : 1 | 23,065 | |