Best General Criminal Justice colleges in the U.S.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 3.9 million Americans currently work in 27 positions related to criminal justice. Positions exist for individuals with countless interests and desired focus areas, making it a great option for various types of professionals and students. 

The BLS projects that jobs in protective service occupations will grow by 2% between 2021 and 2031, creating nearly 72,600 new jobs. As of May 2021, professionals in Protective Service Occupations in these roles earned median salaries of $46,590 – slightly higher than the median of $45,760 for all occupations.

Criminal justice degrees exist at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral level, providing lots of opportunities for entering the field and progressing across time. In this section, we take a closer look at each degree level to give prospective students a sense of what to expect.

Criminal Justice Areas and Specializations

Homeland Security

A homeland security specialization introduces the core theories and essential practices aimed at protecting U.S. borders and vital infrastructure. Students gain a working knowledge of the laws, technologies, and methods that inform topics spanning from disaster management to threat assessment.

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement is a popular academic concentration for criminal justice majors, preparing students with the tools they need to advance their careers. Whether studying policing theory or social justice, students tackle core classes such as criminal investigation, administration of criminal justice, and community-oriented policing.

Forensic Science

Another practical specialization for future law enforcement professionals, forensic science introduces students to the methods and best practices of criminal investigations and procedures. Degree-seekers also familiarize themselves with the essential theories of justice, crime, and community outreach.

The introductory degree in criminal justice, associate degrees provide the introductory knowledge needed to take up support and entry-level roles after graduation. A popular academic option by community colleges, through in-person and online learning, these programs require two years of full-time study and consist of approximately 60 credits. In addition to general education classes, students also take criminal justice coursework in areas such as:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Investigation
• Criminal Procedure

Bachelor's Degrees in Criminal Justice are popular options within this discipline and lead to many different exciting and growing jobs. Building on knowledge gained in an associate degree, these programs cover more advanced topics. They may even provide the opportunity to specialize in areas such as corrections and case management, law enforcement, and homeland security and crisis management. 

First-time learners spend four years completing full-time studies, while those who have already completed an associate degree can graduate in about two years. Common coursework offerings include:

• Crime in Media and Popular Culture
• Juvenile Justice System
• Corrections in America
• Introduction to Criminal Investigations

Not all jobs require an advanced degree in the world of criminal justice, but several do And those that do tend to pay more than jobs for those with a bachelor's degree. Individuals interested in roles as FBI or DEA agents, U.S. Marshalls, or forensic psychologists all benefit from a master's degree. 

Most of these programs consist of 30-36 credits and require approximately two years of full-time study. Many colleges offer these programs completely online to make it easy for working professionals to earn a degree while balancing personal and professional obligations. As with bachelor's degrees, students can typically choose from several concentrations to focus their studies.

Reserved for students who want to work at the highest levels of the discipline, a PhD in Criminal Justice program can take between three to five years to complete and consists of 50 to 75 credits. In addition to coursework covering topics such as theories of crime, the police and society, and reserach methods, learners must also research and write an original dissertation.

After completing requirements, graduates find work as criminal justice researchers, academics, expert witnesses, and high-ranking administrators.

Given the size of the criminal justice field, a diverse set of jobs are widely available. Even though some roles require only on-the-job training, such as police officers, others look for more advanced degrees, like lawyers and judges. Keep reading as we look at some common career paths below and include information on both median salaries and job outlook.

Police and Detectives

• Annual Salary: $66,020
• Job Outlook: 3%

Criminal Justice Professors

• Annual Salary: $79,640
• Job Outlook: 12%

Private Detectives and Investigators

• Annual Salary: $59,380
• Job Outlook: 6%

Correctional Officers and Bailiffs

• Annual Salary: $47,920
• Job Outlook: -10%

Lawyers

• Annual Salary:$127,990
• Job Outlook: 10%

How To Earn A Criminal Justice Degree - Next Steps

1. Earn a high school diploma
2. Search for colleges that offer criminal justice programs that meet your unique needs
3. Apply—you'll need to submit a quality application that meets all requirements and is free of errors
4. Enroll in the best school for you
5. Study hard while making the most of your college experience
6. Take advantage of vitally important internship opportunities

Online criminal justice degrees mirror in-person programs but provide the flexibility busy students need. Online learning also allows students to cast a wider net when looking at prospective schools, and can also cost less in some cases. Some programs offer asynchronous learning, meaning students can log-in to watch prerecorded lectures and complete assignments at times that work best for them. Others are synchronous in format, meaning learners need to log-in at specific times for live lectures. Online criminal justice programs abound, but we’ve spotlighted two in this section.

• What career options are available for criminal justice graduates?
  • Your criminal justice degree can prepare you for a surprisingly wide variety of careers, depending on your academic specialization. Whether in public or private sectors, careers can involve areas like homeland security, law enforcement, community leadership, or various positions in the legal world.
• Is criminal justice a hard degree?
  • That depends on your skill set. Criminal justice students rely on critical thinking and problem-solving skills while also encountering coursework that involves data-heavy analyses.
• How long does it take to earn a criminal justice degree?
  • The time it takes to earn your degree depends on various factors. Additionally, requirements vary between programs. While full-time students can complete a bachelor's degree in about four years, part-time students will take longer to earn their diplomas. And if you decide to pursue a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice or a PhD, you would be adding an additioan two to four years of schooling.
• Can I complete a criminal justice degree online?
  • Criminal justice is a popular academic path for students pursuing degrees online or on campus. Ideal for non-traditional students, flexible online degrees allow working students the chance complete academic requirements while keeping up with personal and professional obligations. Online programs also allow students the chance to save money on various campus-related fees.
• Does criminal justice pay well?
  • The earnings potential for criminal justice graduates can vary dramatically. Additionally, those with extensive professional experience and graduate-level degrees often make more than those beginning their career. Further, criminal justice professionals in leadership roles tend to make the most.