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 2024

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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 2022, 1,450 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 1,237 Bachelor's degrees, 158 Master's degrees, and 55 Certificates.

University of Louisville
Louisville, KY

University of Louisville offers 5 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 269 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 144 Bachelor's degrees, 81 Certificates, 39 Master's degrees, and 5 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 2022, 341 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 207 Bachelor's degrees, 87 Master's degrees, and 47 Certificates.

Columbia College
Columbia, MO

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 2022, 166 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 119 Bachelor's degrees, 30 Associate's degrees, and 17 Master's degrees.

Western Illinois University offers 6 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a remote town. In 2022, 225 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 199 Bachelor's degrees, 25 Master's degrees, and 1 Certificate.

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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 2022, 228 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 222 Bachelor's degrees, and 6 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 2022, 123 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 101 Bachelor's degrees, 12 Master's degrees, and 10 Certificates.

University of New Haven
West Haven, CT
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University of New Haven offers 6 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 380 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 237 Bachelor's degrees, 121 Master's degrees, 19 Certificates, and 3 Doctoral degrees.

Virginia Commonwealth University offers 3 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 263 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 255 Bachelor's degrees, and 8 Master's degrees.

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University offers 3 Law Enforcement degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 232 Law Enforcement students graduated with students earning 202 Bachelor's degrees, 27 Master's degrees, and 3 Doctoral degrees.

List of all Law Enforcement colleges in the U.S.

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
University of Phoenix-Arizona Logo University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZ
3/5
1,111 : 1 88,891
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice Logo CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY
2/5
34 : 1 13,921
University of Phoenix-California Logo University of Phoenix-California Ontario, CA
3/5
  635
University of Louisville Logo University of Louisville Louisville, KY
3/5
30 : 1 22,017
University of Massachusetts-Lowell Logo University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, MA
4/5
27 : 1 17,153