- Best Colleges
- United States
- Legal and Law
- General Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice
Best Colleges with Criminal Justice Degrees in the U.S.
These days getting a degree in criminal justice is becoming more widely popular. This is because a criminal justice degree is a good launching pad for other career paths, and because more law enforcement agencies are requiring some college credit in order to qualify for specific positions. A criminal justice program will teach individuals research methods, statistics, corrections, criminal law, and give students a background knowledge on how the institutions function.
Jobs an individual with a criminal justice degree may obtain include but aren’t limited to probation officer, forensic science technician, police officer, corrections officer, detective, warden, security guard, crime scene investigator, and state trooper. If you’re interested in any of these rewarding careers, get started on your criminal justice degree!
The Best Criminal Justice Colleges of 2019
| Rank | School Name | Location | Description | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kaplan University-Davenport Campus | Davenport, IA |
Kaplan University-Davenport Campus offers 4 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large private university in a small city. In 2015, 1,069 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 388 Bachelor's degrees, 368 Associate's degrees, 310 Master's degrees, and 3 Certificates degrees. | Based on 40 Reviews |
Read more: Kaplan University-Davenport Campus Reviews
| |
| 2 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA |
Liberty University offers 5 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large private university in a small city. In 2015, 678 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 479 Bachelor's degrees, 91 Master's degrees, 81 Associate's degrees, and 27 Certificates degrees. | Based on 44 Reviews |
Read more: Liberty University Reviews
| |
| 3 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, TX |
Sam Houston State University offers 4 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a far away town. In 2015, 675 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 649 Bachelor's degrees, 15 Master's degrees, and 11 Doctoral degrees. | Based on 24 Reviews |
Read more: Sam Houston State University Reviews
| |
| 4 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL |
Florida State University offers 4 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 625 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 552 Bachelor's degrees, 67 Master's degrees, and 6 Doctoral degrees. | Based on 48 Reviews |
Read more: Florida State University Reviews
| |
| 5 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL |
University of Central Florida offers 3 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large suburb. In 2015, 532 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 451 Bachelor's degrees, and 81 Master's degrees. | Based on 68 Reviews |
Read more: University of Central Florida Reviews
| |
| 6 | Florida International University | Miami, FL |
Florida International University offers 3 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large suburb. In 2015, 549 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 508 Bachelor's degrees, and 41 Master's degrees. | Based on 32 Reviews |
Read more: Florida International University Reviews
| |
| 7 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Cincinnati, OH |
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus offers 4 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 519 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 283 Master's degrees, 229 Bachelor's degrees, and 7 Doctoral degrees. | Based on 32 Reviews |
Read more: University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Reviews
| |
| 8 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN |
Ivy Tech Community College offers 2 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a very large public college in a large city. In 2015, 785 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 427 Associate's degrees, and 358 Certificates degrees. | Based on 8 Reviews |
Read more: Ivy Tech Community College Reviews
| |
| 9 | American Public University System | Charles Town, WV |
American Public University System offers 3 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large private university in a outlying town. In 2015, 685 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 450 Bachelor's degrees, 170 Master's degrees, and 65 Associate's degrees. | Based on 28 Reviews |
Read more: American Public University System Reviews
| |
| 10 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA |
San Diego State University offers 2 Criminal Justice Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 398 students graduated in the study area of Criminal Justice with students earning 398 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 44 Reviews |
Read more: San Diego State University Reviews
|
List of Criminal Justice Schools in the U.S.
| School Logo | School Name | Average tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Kaplan University-Davenport Campus Davenport, IA |
3/5
|
43 : 1 | 45,355 |
|
|
Liberty University Lynchburg, VA |
4/5
|
39 : 1 | 80,494 |
|
|
Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX |
2/5
|
26 : 1 | 20,031 |
|
|
Florida State University Tallahassee, FL |
2/5
|
25 : 1 | 40,830 |
|
University of Central Florida Orlando, FL |
2/5
|
41 : 1 | 62,953 |
|
Florida International University Miami, FL |
2/5
|
34 : 1 | 49,782 |
|
|
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH |
3/5
|
17 : 1 | 36,042 |
|
|
Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN |
2/5
|
32 : 1 | 81,668 |
|
|
American Public University System Charles Town, WV |
2/5
|
51 : 1 | 52,361 |
|
|
San Diego State University San Diego, CA |
2/5
|
31 : 1 | 34,254 |
|
California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, CA |
2/5
|
31 : 1 | 30,284 |
|
Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL |
2/5
|
33 : 1 | 30,380 |
|
Boston University Boston, MA |
5/5
|
11 : 1 | 32,158 |
|
Troy University Troy, AL |
2/5
|
24 : 1 | 17,765 |
|
California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, CA |
2/5
|
30 : 1 | 38,948 |
|
Temple University Philadelphia, PA |
4/5
|
15 : 1 | 38,007 |
|
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC |
2/5
|
25 : 1 | 27,983 |
|
Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FL |
4/5
|
32 : 1 | 15,800 |
|
University of North Texas Denton, TX |
3/5
|
31 : 1 | 37,299 |
|
Northeastern University Boston, MA |
5/5
|
15 : 1 | 19,940 |
|
Columbus State University Columbus, GA |
2/5
|
23 : 1 | 8,440 |
|
Bethel University McKenzie, TN |
4/5
|
21 : 1 | 5,951 |
|
Grambling State University Grambling, LA |
2/5
|
25 : 1 | 4,541 |
|
The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL |
3/5
|
25 : 1 | 37,098 |
|
Lewis University Romeoville, IL |
5/5
|
19 : 1 | 6,679 |
Find Local Colleges Offering Criminal Justice Degrees
Getting a Criminal Justice Degree Online
Schools offering online Criminal Justice degrees
Online Criminal Justice degrees are available at a variety of different schools with as many as 1,069 degrees earned at the most popular school. Read more below about all schools that have offered online Criminal Justice degrees. If you are interested learning more about getting a degree online, check out our page dedicated to online degree information.
| School Name | Certificate | Associate's | Bachelor's | Master's | Doctoral |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Houston State University | 0 | 0 | 649 | 15 | 0 |
| Florida International University | 0 | 0 | 495 | 0 | 0 |
| American Public University System | 0 | 65 | 450 | 170 | 0 |
| University of Central Florida | 0 | 0 | 448 | 81 | 0 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | 358 | 427 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
- 77 Certificates
- 111 Associate's
- 117 Bachelor's
- 66 Master's
What degrees do people get in Criminal Justice?
| Degree Level | Program Length | Colleges | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate's | 2-year Length | 542 Colleges | 9,827 Graduates |
| Bachelor's | 4-year Length | 570 Colleges | 32,685 Graduates |
| Certificates | < 1 year Length | 192 Colleges | 4,113 Graduates |
| Doctoral | 1-2 year Length | 20 Colleges | 105 Graduates |
| Master's | 1+ years Length | 155 Colleges | 3,035 Graduates |
Criminal Justice Degree Overview
Researching a Criminal Justice degree you will find that there are many possibilities for a traditional degree as well as higher education selections. The most standard path for those earning a degree in Criminal Justice can look for a standard two to four years to earn a degree. The most popular Criminal Justice degree earned was a bachelor's degree and it also has the widest range of school possibilities as well. The second most popular Criminal Justice degree that people acquire is an associate's degree. While a bachelor's degree is the likely degree choice, acquiring an associate's degree degree isn't out of the question. Although a doctoral degree is offered at some schools, getting an advanced degree is not very common. At this point, it comes down to pinpointing the degree based on what your goals are by earning a degree in Criminal Justice. After that, the next steps will be to find the right school that offers that degree based on your flexibility and your needs.
Average cost of college for a Criminal Justice degree
Average Tuition and Fees for a 2 year Degree
| Average Tuition and Fees | School Control | Student Residence |
|---|---|---|
| $3,294 | Public | In-State |
| $12,111 | Private | In-State |
| $6,855 | Public | Out-of-State |
| $12,111 | Private | Out-of-State |
Average Tuition and Fees for a 4 year Degree
| Average Tuition and Fees | School Control | Student Residence |
|---|---|---|
| $7,565 | Public | In-State |
| $19,982 | Private | In-State |
| $16,812 | Public | Out-of-State |
| $19,982 | Private | Out-of-State |
Search Criminal Justice Program Courses
-
Program Descriptions
- Paralegal Studies – Associate of Applied Science
- Security & Investigation - Associate of Applied Science
- Security & Investigation - Associate of Occupational Science
-
Program Descriptions
- Legal Studies (BS)
- Paralegal Studies (AS)
![South University Logo]()
Legal Studies (BS)The Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies degree program at South University provides students with a number of academic options. Individuals with an associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, or those who are currently pursuing an associate’s degree in any major, may transfer into the Legal Studies bachelor’s degree program. Students with no prior paralegal education may take the full baccalaureate program.Paralegal Studies (AS)The Paralegal degree program is designed to provide educational training for individuals to serve as paralegals or legal assistants. The Paralegal degree consists of specialized course work and a supervised externship in selected legal settings such as law firms, real estate and title companies, banks and state or federal governmental agencies. Practical training from the South University Paralegal degree program prepares graduates working under the supervision of a licensed attorney to perform many tasks in a legal office, including but not limited to, interviewing clients and witnesses, preparing legal documents and otherwise assisting attorneys with the preparation of their cases. -
Program Descriptions
- B.A. in Government with an Emphasis in Legal Studies
- B.A. in Government with an Emphasis in State and Local Public Policy
- B.S. in Justice Studies
- B.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management
- M.S. in Leadership: Disaster Preparedness & Executive Fire Leadership
- Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government and Policy
![Grand Canyon University Logo]()
B.A. in Government with an Emphasis in Legal StudiesThe fascinating and expansive arena of law represents diversity among academic backgrounds. From the paralegal professions to the demanding rigor of law school, the legal domain shares a common set of interdisciplinary themes that are essential for success in these disciplines. Rooted in the study of politics, policy and law, GCU's government degree in legal studies blends an interdisciplinary curriculum with communication, philosophy and business. It serves as a pre-law degree that offers a foundation in ethical leadership and the knowledge to excel in law school.B.A. in Government with an Emphasis in State and Local Public PolicyAs the 21st century drives us forward, a push toward greater transparency and effective governance reflects upon the standing of distinguished policy makers and administrators in the legislative branches. The age of information and the innovative, open forums of communication – blogs, social media and the internet as a whole – demand a comprehensive understanding of the political forces in this arena. The bachelor's degree in government for state and local public policy envisions strong political leadership, which improves and makes a difference in the lives of people in their communities. The program, which serves as an alternative to a political science degree, explores the scope of governance and democracy through patterns of political behavior.B.S. in Justice StudiesGrand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies prepares students to enter careers in law enforcement, governmental and private agencies, research, social work, political science, and a variety of other fields. Graduates will be able to describe the components of the justice system from a systems perspective, including function, organization, issues, practices, and interrelationship of law enforcement agencies, the courts, and the corrections system.B.S. in Public Safety and Emergency ManagementGrand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Public Safety and Emergency Management program is a bachelor’s degree completion program that provides a theoretical and applied approach to the professional education of students, while ensuring relevance to the homeland security and public safety industries. The program emphasizes the fundamentals of emergency management while providing an interdisciplinary course of study in the skills and practices of emergency planning and management. Candidates for the degree include those working in or desirous of working in one of several fields, including emergency management, fire protection, emergency medical response, law enforcement, environmental health and safety, and other related fields. The program highlights the application of research methodology; the utilization of communication skills at the personal, professional, and public level; and the development of professional skills and knowledge in the fields of public safety and emergency management.M.S. in Leadership: Disaster Preparedness & Executive Fire LeadershipGrand Canyon University’s Master of Science in Leadership with an Emphasis in Disaster Preparedness and Executive Fire Leadership provides students with the skills to develop professionally and gain self-confidence in their own leadership styles. The program offers an opportunity for graduates of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program (NFA-EEOP) to complete a graduate degree. Students learn to integrate a conceptual foundation for an executive leadership role that emphasizes the immediate application of ethical and practical leadership skills as well as disaster preparation and crisis management. Environmental issues directly related to leadership skills development and content required of leaders in the area of emergency public safety and disaster preparedness will also be addressed.Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government and PolicyThe Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Government and Policy prepares students for careers in the public sector. The program is targeted at individuals working or desirous of finding employment in all levels of government. The core coursework gives students the opportunity to apply administrative skills in the areas of economics, leadership, human capital development, and governance within the public sector environment. Emphasis courses will challenge students to identify and provide solutions for the unique issues facing public sector organizations in the areas of financial management, inter-agency cooperation, policy and law.
