College Rankings

Best Criminal Justice Schools

The top 25 of 569 U.S. colleges offering an undergraduate Criminal Justice degree, ranked by early-career earnings and return on investment — using each school's real, aid-adjusted net price rather than sticker tuition.

Is Criminal Justice worth it?

It absolutely can be, provided you understand how the industry pays. Because most criminal justice graduates end up in public sector roles—local police departments, state corrections, or federal agencies—salaries are heavily regimented by government pay scales and union contracts. You aren't going to negotiate a massive signing bonus out of college. Therefore, the degree's value hinges entirely on keeping your tuition costs rock-bottom. The financial winners in this field are almost always low-cost regional public universities, specialized online programs, and colleges that cater to working adults seeking the bachelor’s degree required for a promotion to detective or federal agent.

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#	School	State	Score	Median earnings	Net price / yr	10-yr net ROI
1	Siena Heights University	MI	70	$67,009	$17,124	+$602K
2	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota	MN	70	$64,894	$11,704	+$602K
3	Central Christian College of Kansas	KS	70	$55,453	$11,404	+$509K
4	California State University-East Bay	CA	70	$45,387	$9,320†	+$417K
5	Herzing University-Minneapolis	MN	68	$67,229	$16,670	+$606K
6	Colorado State University Global	CO	68	$61,786	$16,510†	+$552K
7	Utah Valley University	UT	68	$44,051	$6,376†	+$415K
8	Ferris State University	MI	67	$44,897	$8,624†	+$414K
9	Herzing University-Akron	OH	66	$67,229	$18,934	+$597K
10	Bethel University	TN	66	$54,207	$12,595	+$492K
11	University of Baltimore	MD	66	$48,991	$13,868†	+$434K
12	Trinity Washington University	DC	66	$47,385	$9,302	+$437K
13	CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice	NY	66	$37,284	$3,203†	+$360K
14	Herzing University-Birmingham	AL	65	$67,229	$19,651	+$594K
15	Herzing University-Orlando	FL	65	$67,229	$19,850	+$593K
16	Lamar University	TX	65	$43,707	$9,366†	+$400K
17	San Francisco State University	CA	65	$42,211	$12,278†	+$373K
18	Worcester State University	MA	65	$41,132	$13,381†	+$358K
19	Saint Xavier University	IL	65	$39,033	$10,970	+$346K
20	California State University-Sacramento	CA	65	$38,606	$9,338†	+$349K
21	Charter Oak State College	CT	64	$68,956	$15,815†	+$626K
22	Herzing University-New Orleans	LA	64	$67,229	$21,269	+$587K
23	Herzing University-Brookfield	WI	64	$67,229	$20,514	+$590K
24	Bemidji State University	MN	64	$49,617	$15,261†	+$435K
25	Texas A&M University-Central Texas	TX	64	$45,976	$1,300†	+$455K
26	Portland State University	OR	64	$45,401	$9,552†	+$416K
27	Lake Superior State University	MI	64	$43,937	$12,822†	+$388K
28	George Mason University	VA	64	$43,612	$17,915†	+$364K
29	Indian River State College	FL	64	$43,351	$3,815†	+$418K
30	Western Illinois University	IL	64	$40,898	$12,937†	+$357K
31	Sonoma State University	CA	64	$38,444	$12,885†	+$333K
32	California State University-Stanislaus	CA	64	$34,806	$6,067†	+$324K
33	Herzing University-Atlanta	GA	63	$67,229	$21,679	+$586K
34	Herzing University-Madison	WI	63	$67,229	$22,327	+$583K
35	University of Maryland Global Campus	MD	63	$55,479	$22,063†	+$467K
36	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus	OK	63	$53,003	$15,300†	+$469K
37	Thomas University	GA	63	$52,991	$18,499	+$456K
38	Metropolitan State University	MN	63	$52,125	$16,863†	+$454K
39	University of Arkansas Grantham	AR	63	$50,520	$8,370†	+$472K
40	Saint Cloud State University	MN	63	$49,412	$13,529†	+$440K
41	Vincennes University	IN	63	$46,644	$11,225†	+$422K
42	Purdue University Global	IN	63	$45,984	$7,770†	+$429K
43	Fitchburg State University	MA	63	$43,418	$14,262†	+$377K
44	Concordia University-Saint Paul	MN	63	$42,607	$18,462	+$352K
45	Governors State University	IL	63	$42,456	$12,329†	+$375K
46	Westfield State University	MA	63	$42,228	$16,721†	+$355K
47	Indiana University-Northwest	IN	63	$41,295	$5,130†	+$392K
48	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus	WA	63	$40,669	$10,163†	+$366K
49	Herzing University-Kenosha	WI	62	$67,229	$23,066	+$580K
50	Winona State University	MN	62	$48,861	$17,503†	+$419K
51	Utica University	NY	62	$45,521	$19,108	+$379K
52	Norwich University	VT	62	$43,523	$22,257	+$346K
53	Weber State University	UT	62	$43,281	$10,258†	+$392K
54	University of Houston-Downtown	TX	62	$42,122	$10,542†	+$379K
55	University of Massachusetts-Lowell	MA	62	$41,938	$17,163†	+$351K
56	University of North Georgia	GA	62	$41,598	$9,823†	+$377K
57	University of Illinois Springfield	IL	62	$41,064	$9,833†	+$371K
58	Washington State University	WA	62	$41,020	$14,971†	+$350K
59	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh	WI	62	$39,394	$14,305†	+$337K
60	Wayne State University	MI	62	$39,132	$12,766†	+$340K
61	University of Nevada-Las Vegas	NV	62	$37,639	$10,359†	+$335K
62	California State University-San Bernardino	CA	62	$35,029	$4,564†	+$332K
63	California State University-Fullerton	CA	62	$34,570	$6,555†	+$319K
64	Columbia College	SC	61	$50,519	$18,408	+$432K
65	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus	CO	61	$45,814	$11,900†	+$411K
66	Citadel Military College of South Carolina	SC	61	$45,235	$20,723†	+$369K
67	Bridgewater State University	MA	61	$43,735	$16,383†	+$372K
68	Indiana University-Southeast	IN	61	$41,898	$7,888†	+$387K
69	Frostburg State University	MD	61	$40,844	$16,715†	+$342K
70	Indiana University-Kokomo	IN	61	$39,833	$3,968†	+$382K
71	Kean University	NJ	61	$39,408	$12,447†	+$344K
72	Rhode Island College	RI	61	$38,163	$9,478†	+$344K
73	Oakland University	MI	61	$35,705	$9,120†	+$321K
74	California State University-Long Beach	CA	61	$34,247	$10,440†	+$301K
75	California State University-Los Angeles	CA	61	$32,974	$3,967†	+$314K
76	Northeastern University	MA	60	$51,363	$30,915	+$390K
77	Minnesota State University-Mankato	MN	60	$49,019	$19,139†	+$414K
78	Oakland City University	IN	60	$46,038	$15,210	+$400K
79	Minot State University	ND	60	$45,579	$12,703†	+$405K
80	Indiana University-East	IN	60	$45,204	$8,134†	+$420K
81	Salem State University	MA	60	$44,812	$15,996†	+$384K
82	Indiana University-Indianapolis	IN	60	$44,016	$11,668†	+$393K
83	North Park University	IL	60	$43,519	$16,948	+$367K
84	Texas Woman's University	TX	60	$42,914	$11,963†	+$381K
85	Northeastern Illinois University	IL	60	$40,719	$14,109†	+$351K
86	University of Michigan-Dearborn	MI	60	$37,469	$9,492†	+$337K
87	Florida International University	FL	60	$36,839	$9,288†	+$331K
88	California State University-Dominguez Hills	CA	60	$36,092	$8,615†	+$326K
89	SUNY College at Potsdam	NY	60	$35,950	$13,624†	+$305K
90	Florida Atlantic University	FL	60	$35,647	$8,752†	+$321K
91	California State University-Fresno	CA	60	$32,257	$7,000†	+$295K
92	Peirce College	PA	59	$48,710	$12,148	+$439K
93	Regent University	VA	59	$46,005	$19,923	+$380K
94	Central Washington University	WA	59	$44,172	$18,476†	+$368K
95	Arizona State University Campus Immersion	AZ	59	$42,187	$14,967†	+$362K
96	East Central University	OK	59	$41,437	$8,683†	+$380K
97	Polk State College	FL	59	$40,808	$9,427†	+$370K
98	University of Washington-Seattle Campus	WA	59	$40,669	$14,091†	+$350K
99	Michigan State University	MI	59	$40,390	$19,680†	+$325K
100	Saginaw Valley State University	MI	59	$40,049	$10,775†	+$357K
101	Grand Valley State University	MI	59	$39,857	$16,317†	+$333K
102	Southern Illinois University Edwardsville	IL	59	$39,279	$14,889†	+$333K
103	Auburn University at Montgomery	AL	59	$38,710	$13,224†	+$334K
104	University of Maine at Augusta	ME	59	$38,588	$10,924†	+$342K
105	Austin Peay State University	TN	59	$36,749	$9,735†	+$329K
106	University of North Florida	FL	59	$36,684	$10,154†	+$326K
107	University of Michigan-Flint	MI	59	$35,912	$7,007†	+$331K
108	Northern Kentucky University	KY	59	$35,724	$8,191†	+$324K
109	University of Illinois Chicago	IL	59	$34,551	$10,974†	+$302K
110	The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley	TX	59	$32,899	$4,831†	+$310K
111	National University	CA	58	$64,143	$22,878	+$550K
112	Metropolitan State University of Denver	CO	58	$44,497	$15,327†	+$384K
113	Wilmington University	DE	58	$43,726	$15,644	+$375K
114	University of North Dakota	ND	58	$42,825	$18,551†	+$354K
115	University of Wisconsin-Parkside	WI	58	$42,342	$11,772†	+$376K
116	Baker College	MI	58	$42,341	$13,157	+$371K
117	University of Massachusetts-Boston	MA	58	$42,325	$17,707†	+$352K
118	University of Wisconsin-Platteville	WI	58	$41,636	$16,032†	+$352K
119	The University of Texas at Arlington	TX	58	$40,577	$13,951†	+$350K
120	Florida Gulf Coast University	FL	58	$40,079	$12,568†	+$351K
121	Louisiana State University at Alexandria	LA	58	$39,917	$7,065†	+$371K
122	Western Michigan University	MI	58	$39,614	$15,273†	+$335K
123	Peru State College	NE	58	$38,953	$11,632†	+$343K
124	Northern Michigan University	MI	58	$38,518	$14,085†	+$329K
125	Dalton State College	GA	58	$37,856	$5,012†	+$359K
126	SUNY Morrisville	NY	58	$37,775	$15,939†	+$314K
127	University of Georgia	GA	58	$37,405	$13,936†	+$318K
128	Atlanta Metropolitan State College	GA	58	$37,342	$5,258†	+$352K
129	University of Pittsburgh-Bradford	PA	58	$36,959	$15,350†	+$308K
130	Fairmont State University	WV	58	$36,179	$9,032†	+$326K
131	The University of Texas at San Antonio	TX	58	$35,740	$10,836†	+$314K
132	Florida State University	FL	58	$34,922	$11,297†	+$304K
133	SUNY Buffalo State University	NY	58	$34,042	$11,346†	+$295K
134	Holy Family University	PA	58	$33,496	$13,143	+$282K
135	Texas A & M International University	TX	58	$30,739	$3,637†	+$293K
136	George Washington University	DC	57	$51,256	$36,586	+$366K
137	Cumberland University	TN	57	$45,223	$18,759	+$377K
138	Aurora University	IL	57	$44,150	$18,838	+$366K
139	Stephen F Austin State University	TX	57	$40,308	$14,260†	+$346K
140	Northeastern State University	OK	57	$39,668	$12,710†	+$346K
141	La Salle University	PA	57	$38,832	$19,409	+$311K
142	University of Wyoming	WY	57	$38,797	$13,599†	+$334K
143	Western Carolina University	NC	57	$38,682	$13,315†	+$334K
144	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	WI	57	$38,640	$15,014†	+$326K
145	Elmhurst University	IL	57	$38,352	$24,185	+$287K
146	Cameron University	OK	57	$37,494	$10,912†	+$331K
147	University of Central Florida	FL	57	$36,563	$10,411†	+$324K
148	California State University-Chico	CA	57	$36,045	$14,480†	+$303K
149	East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania	PA	57	$35,206	$18,134†	+$280K
150	Texas A&M University-Victoria	TX	57	$35,015	$8,109†	+$318K
151	Western New Mexico University	NM	57	$32,386	$8,522†	+$290K
152	Truman State University	MO	57	$32,176	$12,780†	+$271K
153	Murray State University	KY	57	$32,041	$9,096†	+$284K
154	Reinhardt University	GA	56	$62,019	$24,425	+$522K
155	Southwestern College	KS	56	$60,820	$29,824	+$489K
156	Wayland Baptist University	TX	56	$53,038	$20,590	+$448K
157	University of St Francis	IL	56	$43,793	$13,006	+$386K
158	Fort Hays State University	KS	56	$42,428	$12,569†	+$374K
159	Baldwin Wallace University	OH	56	$42,407	$27,603	+$314K
160	University of Colorado Colorado Springs	CO	56	$42,199	$15,788†	+$359K
161	York College of Pennsylvania	PA	56	$42,175	$18,556	+$348K
162	University of Nebraska-Lincoln	NE	56	$42,139	$17,747†	+$350K
163	Springfield College	MA	56	$41,441	$30,587	+$292K
164	Bowie State University	MD	56	$41,367	$19,298†	+$336K
165	Lewis-Clark State College	ID	56	$40,442	$15,635†	+$342K
166	Western Oregon University	OR	56	$40,289	$17,237†	+$334K
167	Ball State University	IN	56	$39,991	$14,940†	+$340K
168	Southern Utah University	UT	56	$39,744	$10,462†	+$356K
169	University of Southern Indiana	IN	56	$39,384	$12,923†	+$342K
170	University of Nebraska at Omaha	NE	56	$38,756	$13,441†	+$334K
171	North Dakota State University-Main Campus	ND	56	$38,057	$15,543†	+$318K
172	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly	PA	56	$37,240	$14,596†	+$314K
173	University of the Virgin Islands	VI	56	$36,846	$7,469†	+$339K
174	Miami University-Middletown	OH	56	$36,612	$10,809†	+$323K
175	The University of Texas at Tyler	TX	56	$36,532	$13,323†	+$312K
176	University of West Florida	FL	56	$36,369	$9,364†	+$326K
177	Angelo State University	TX	56	$35,955	$15,091†	+$299K
178	Indiana University-Bloomington	IN	56	$35,572	$16,264†	+$291K
179	University of Dubuque	IA	55	$46,307	$23,386	+$370K
180	Saint Louis University	MO	55	$45,709	$24,398	+$359K
181	New England College	NH	55	$45,575	$26,972	+$348K
182	Grand View University	IA	55	$45,175	$21,774	+$365K
183	Montana State University-Northern	MT	55	$43,158	$12,664†	+$381K
184	University of Wisconsin-Superior	WI	55	$42,295	$12,220†	+$374K
185	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire	WI	55	$41,258	$16,550†	+$346K
186	Plymouth State University	NH	55	$39,171	$19,216†	+$315K
187	University of Louisville	KY	55	$38,728	$17,988†	+$315K
188	Colorado Mesa University	CO	55	$38,204	$15,103†	+$322K
189	Middle Tennessee State University	TN	55	$37,952	$13,359†	+$326K
190	SUNY College of Technology at Canton	NY	55	$37,702	$15,268†	+$316K
191	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny	PA	55	$37,240	$15,521†	+$310K
192	University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg	PA	55	$36,959	$17,945†	+$298K
193	University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown	PA	55	$36,959	$18,202†	+$297K
194	Miami University-Hamilton	OH	55	$36,612	$11,286†	+$321K
195	Madonna University	MI	55	$36,296	$17,755	+$292K
196	Purdue University Fort Wayne	IN	55	$36,059	$13,171†	+$308K
197	St. Joseph's University-New York	NY	55	$35,794	$19,035	+$282K
198	California State University-Northridge	CA	55	$34,870	$7,021†	+$321K
199	The University of Texas at El Paso	TX	55	$33,304	$9,403†	+$295K
200	St. Francis College	NY	55	$33,146	$18,129	+$259K
201	Marshall University	WV	55	$32,747	$7,502†	+$297K
202	SUNY Oneonta	NY	55	$32,043	$19,158†	+$244K
203	Calumet College of Saint Joseph	IN	54	$55,587	$22,451	+$466K
204	Seattle University	WA	54	$51,100	$34,662	+$372K
205	Park University	MO	54	$49,305	$21,032	+$409K
206	Minnesota State University Moorhead	MN	54	$44,037	$17,997†	+$368K
207	California Lutheran University	CA	54	$43,122	$30,109	+$311K
208	Keene State College	NH	54	$42,053	$17,887†	+$349K
209	Kennesaw State University	GA	54	$39,566	$15,048†	+$335K
210	Western Connecticut State University	CT	54	$38,235	$17,604†	+$312K
211	Illinois State University	IL	54	$37,584	$19,398†	+$298K
212	Lewis University	IL	54	$37,583	$17,028	+$308K
213	University of Missouri-Kansas City	MO	54	$37,397	$13,310†	+$321K
214	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre	PA	54	$37,240	$16,448†	+$307K
215	University of Central Missouri	MO	54	$37,221	$14,462†	+$314K
216	Radford University	VA	54	$35,935	$14,578†	+$301K
217	William Paterson University of New Jersey	NJ	54	$35,864	$18,745†	+$284K
218	Indiana University-South Bend	IN	54	$35,462	$8,653†	+$320K
219	State University of New York at Oswego	NY	54	$34,561	$16,236†	+$281K
220	Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus	NM	54	$31,599	$4,904†	+$296K
221	Coppin State University	MD	54	$31,419	$9,977†	+$274K
222	Clayton State University	GA	54	$30,200	$8,365†	+$269K
223	The University of Olivet	MI	53	$48,328	$21,393	+$398K
224	Saint Leo University	FL	53	$47,853	$21,293	+$393K
225	Husson University	ME	53	$46,523	$21,005	+$381K
226	Roger Williams University	RI	53	$45,356	$37,999	+$302K
227	University of Indianapolis	IN	53	$44,418	$21,602	+$358K
228	Missouri Baptist University	MO	53	$42,555	$27,006	+$318K
229	Midwestern State University	TX	53	$40,719	$11,656†	+$361K
230	Southern Oregon University	OR	53	$40,553	$16,732†	+$339K
231	Eastern Illinois University	IL	53	$40,489	$12,786†	+$354K
232	University of South Dakota	SD	53	$40,402	$19,858†	+$325K
233	Hardin-Simmons University	TX	53	$39,445	$19,555	+$316K
234	Franklin Pierce University	NH	53	$39,031	$27,154	+$282K
235	Johnson & Wales University-Online	RI	53	$38,871	$20,252	+$308K
236	University of Akron Main Campus	OH	53	$38,547	$13,946†	+$330K
237	University of Hawaii at Hilo	HI	53	$38,528	$11,856†	+$338K
238	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver	PA	53	$37,240	$17,418†	+$303K
239	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois	PA	53	$37,240	$17,428†	+$303K
240	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton	PA	53	$37,240	$17,597†	+$302K
241	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus	OH	53	$36,468	$24,022†	+$269K
242	University of North Carolina at Charlotte	NC	53	$36,155	$15,435†	+$300K
243	University of Memphis	TN	53	$35,900	$12,397†	+$309K
244	University of North Carolina at Pembroke	NC	53	$35,553	$10,260†	+$314K
245	Chicago State University	IL	53	$35,419	$12,335†	+$305K
246	Southeastern Oklahoma State University	OK	53	$34,958	$8,039†	+$317K
247	San Diego State University	CA	53	$33,261	$15,364†	+$271K
248	Liberty University	VA	52	$48,855	$29,357	+$371K
249	Southern New Hampshire University	NH	52	$45,836	$36,708	+$312K
250	Curry College	MA	52	$45,103	$29,207	+$334K
251	University of Northern Iowa	IA	52	$43,748	$15,901†	+$374K
252	Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global	IN	52	$43,448	$16,898	+$367K
253	Simpson College	IA	52	$42,862	$21,936	+$341K
254	Waldorf University	IA	52	$42,735	$19,693	+$349K
255	Ashland University	OH	52	$42,172	$21,988	+$334K
256	Roosevelt University	IL	52	$41,203	$20,194	+$331K
257	University of Nebraska at Kearney	NE	52	$40,128	$16,242†	+$336K
258	Washburn University	KS	52	$40,052	$15,280†	+$339K
259	Missouri Western State University	MO	52	$39,808	$13,251†	+$345K
260	University of North Texas	TX	52	$39,267	$15,649†	+$330K
261	University of Northern Colorado	CO	52	$38,422	$17,760†	+$313K
262	University of Arkansas	AR	52	$38,083	$18,209†	+$308K
263	Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania	PA	52	$37,839	$15,699†	+$316K
264	Sam Houston State University	TX	52	$37,792	$16,404†	+$312K
265	University of Toledo	OH	52	$37,548	$17,249†	+$306K
266	University of Maryland Eastern Shore	MD	52	$37,393	$13,338†	+$321K
267	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington	PA	52	$37,240	$18,305†	+$299K
268	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango	PA	52	$37,240	$18,095†	+$300K
269	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington	PA	52	$37,240	$18,071†	+$300K
270	Texas State University	TX	52	$36,117	$16,805†	+$294K
271	Marymount University	VA	52	$35,642	$29,137	+$240K
272	State University of New York at Plattsburgh	NY	52	$35,527	$17,156†	+$287K
273	SUNY Brockport	NY	52	$35,495	$16,353†	+$290K
274	Valdosta State University	GA	52	$35,398	$10,945†	+$310K
275	La Roche University	PA	52	$35,388	$20,794	+$271K
276	Georgia Southern University	GA	52	$35,266	$15,267†	+$292K
277	Southeastern Louisiana University	LA	52	$35,024	$13,154†	+$298K
278	Rutgers University-Camden	NJ	52	$34,611	$18,745†	+$271K
279	Mercy University	NY	52	$34,472	$14,072	+$288K
280	University of South Carolina-Upstate	SC	52	$34,447	$13,557†	+$290K
281	Kent State University at Stark	OH	52	$33,980	$10,897†	+$296K
282	Kent State University at Trumbull	OH	52	$33,980	$11,135†	+$295K
283	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus	NJ	52	$33,874	$15,404	+$277K
284	Canisius University	NY	52	$33,843	$17,940	+$267K
285	Rowan University	NJ	52	$33,254	$22,408†	+$243K
286	Kentucky State University	KY	52	$33,099	$8,040†	+$299K
287	Bob Jones University	SC	52	$31,372	$16,641	+$247K
288	Elizabeth City State University	NC	52	$29,778	$6,364†	+$272K
289	Loras College	IA	51	$47,413	$20,716	+$391K
290	Shenandoah University	VA	51	$46,816	$30,298	+$347K
291	Chestnut Hill College	PA	51	$46,417	$27,970	+$352K
292	Columbia College	MO	51	$46,195	$22,715	+$371K
293	Nichols College	MA	51	$45,774	$33,036	+$326K
294	Averett University	VA	51	$43,494	$22,925	+$343K
295	Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania	PA	51	$41,143	$23,726†	+$317K
296	University of Central Oklahoma	OK	51	$39,609	$18,309†	+$323K
297	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi	NY	51	$38,416	$17,225†	+$315K
298	Wichita State University	KS	51	$38,102	$13,194†	+$328K
299	Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies	MO	51	$38,014	$10,566	+$338K
300	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga	TN	51	$37,403	$14,265†	+$317K
301	Youngstown State University	OH	51	$37,325	$12,767†	+$322K
302	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill	PA	51	$37,240	$19,659†	+$294K
303	Pennsylvania State University-World Campus	PA	51	$37,240	$19,550†	+$294K
304	East Carolina University	NC	51	$36,374	$15,739†	+$301K
305	Longwood University	VA	51	$36,254	$19,066†	+$286K
306	California Baptist University	CA	51	$35,960	$26,285	+$254K
307	Rutgers University-Newark	NJ	51	$34,611	$19,703†	+$267K
308	New Jersey City University	NJ	51	$34,027	$16,053†	+$276K
309	Kent State University at Ashtabula	OH	51	$33,980	$12,205†	+$291K
310	University of Scranton	PA	51	$32,300	$32,568	+$193K
311	University of Mississippi	MS	51	$31,875	$13,314†	+$265K
312	Savannah State University	GA	51	$30,195	$8,172†	+$269K
313	New Mexico State University-Main Campus	NM	51	$29,553	$8,889†	+$260K
314	Faulkner University	AL	50	$54,704	$22,085	+$459K
315	Benedictine University	IL	50	$46,020	$22,313	+$371K
316	Tarleton State University	TX	50	$43,186	$20,783†	+$349K
317	Wayne State College	NE	50	$41,869	$15,360†	+$357K
318	Columbus State University	GA	50	$39,714	$13,115†	+$345K
319	Wingate University	NC	50	$39,498	$20,748	+$312K
320	Georgia College & State University	GA	50	$39,133	$20,686†	+$309K
321	University of Alaska Anchorage	AK	50	$39,003	$15,301†	+$329K
322	Loyola University Chicago	IL	50	$38,953	$36,079	+$245K
323	Stevenson University	MD	50	$38,745	$26,505	+$281K
324	Virginia Commonwealth University	VA	50	$38,495	$23,433†	+$291K
325	University of New Mexico-Main Campus	NM	50	$38,370	$15,489†	+$322K
326	Carroll University	WI	50	$38,101	$15,193	+$320K
327	Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi	TX	50	$37,742	$15,225†	+$317K
328	Kutztown University of Pennsylvania	PA	50	$37,311	$21,331†	+$288K
329	Centenary University	NJ	50	$37,259	$20,503	+$291K
330	The College of New Jersey	NJ	50	$36,070	$27,646†	+$250K
331	Lane College	TN	50	$35,917	$10,904	+$316K
332	King's College	PA	50	$35,761	$23,093	+$265K
333	Molloy University	NY	50	$35,291	$24,347	+$256K
334	Harris-Stowe State University	MO	50	$34,108	$9,922†	+$301K
335	Kent State University at Tuscarawas	OH	50	$33,980	$12,542†	+$290K
336	University of Arkansas-Fort Smith	AR	50	$33,460	$10,574†	+$292K
337	Georgia State University	GA	50	$33,213	$15,931†	+$268K
338	Wiley University	TX	50	$32,743	$7,092	+$299K
339	North Carolina A & T State University	NC	50	$32,152	$10,846†	+$278K
340	University of North Alabama	AL	50	$31,595	$12,170†	+$267K
341	Eastern Kentucky University	KY	50	$31,548	$11,040†	+$271K
342	Saint Peter's University	NJ	50	$28,558	$12,199	+$237K
343	Tiffin University	OH	49	$44,823	$26,500	+$342K
344	Ferrum College	VA	49	$42,080	$20,082	+$340K
345	Quinnipiac University	CT	49	$41,989	$40,675	+$257K
346	Troy University	AL	49	$41,780	$16,527†	+$352K
347	Iowa State University	IA	49	$41,624	$18,589†	+$342K
348	Grand Canyon University	AZ	49	$41,180	$22,472	+$322K
349	University of Arkansas at Little Rock	AR	49	$40,989	$17,248†	+$341K
350	Gannon University	PA	49	$39,788	$22,553	+$308K
351	Harding University	AR	49	$38,818	$22,130	+$300K
352	Mercyhurst University	PA	49	$38,557	$19,444	+$308K
353	Monmouth University	NJ	49	$37,862	$30,988	+$255K
354	Pennsylvania Western University	PA	49	$37,542	$18,256†	+$302K
355	Mercer University	GA	49	$37,319	$23,847	+$278K
356	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona	PA	49	$37,240	$22,213†	+$284K
357	Salve Regina University	RI	49	$36,898	$36,967	+$221K
358	Saint Edward's University	TX	49	$36,829	$25,578	+$266K
359	Southeast Missouri State University	MO	49	$36,537	$15,882†	+$302K
360	University of Louisiana at Monroe	LA	49	$36,313	$13,466†	+$309K
361	Lindenwood University	MO	49	$36,253	$19,638	+$284K
362	Appalachian State University	NC	49	$35,796	$16,836†	+$291K
363	University of Alaska Fairbanks	AK	49	$34,617	$10,892†	+$303K
364	East Texas A&M University	TX	49	$34,075	$11,841†	+$293K
365	Kent State University at East Liverpool	OH	49	$33,980	$13,392†	+$286K
366	Kent State University at Salem	OH	49	$33,980	$13,799†	+$285K
367	Jacksonville State University	AL	49	$33,879	$14,279†	+$282K
368	The University of Tennessee-Martin	TN	49	$32,167	$10,701†	+$279K
369	Widener University	PA	49	$31,663	$25,759	+$214K
370	Iona University	NY	49	$31,283	$29,188	+$196K
371	SUNY at Fredonia	NY	49	$30,168	$15,897†	+$238K
372	Fayetteville State University	NC	49	$29,016	$7,892†	+$259K
373	Fisher College	MA	48	$45,695	$26,649	+$350K
374	Anderson University	SC	48	$45,583	$23,544	+$362K
375	Texas Wesleyan University	TX	48	$44,328	$24,066	+$347K
376	Hood College	MD	48	$41,764	$20,873	+$334K
377	Neumann University	PA	48	$41,637	$27,804	+$305K
378	University of Mount Olive	NC	48	$40,639	$18,853	+$331K
379	Alvernia University	PA	48	$39,940	$28,138	+$287K
380	Virginia Wesleyan University	VA	48	$39,404	$19,676	+$315K
381	West Virginia State University	WV	48	$39,056	$11,139†	+$346K
382	Endicott College	MA	48	$38,900	$40,654	+$226K
383	University of Hartford	CT	48	$38,309	$30,282	+$262K
384	Rogers State University	OK	48	$38,064	$15,314†	+$319K
385	University of the Cumberlands	KY	48	$37,564	$14,107	+$319K
386	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg	PA	48	$37,240	$23,330†	+$279K
387	Emporia State University	KS	48	$35,970	$16,261†	+$295K
388	Muskingum University	OH	48	$35,595	$19,532	+$278K
389	Rutgers University-New Brunswick	NJ	48	$34,611	$24,406†	+$248K
390	Adrian College	MI	48	$34,112	$25,368	+$240K
391	Missouri Southern State University	MO	48	$33,167	$12,007†	+$284K
392	Central State University	OH	48	$32,631	$13,096†	+$274K
393	Prairie View A & M University	TX	48	$31,823	$13,570†	+$264K
394	Chowan University	NC	48	$29,109	$14,086	+$235K
395	Lincoln University	PA	48	$28,847	$14,977†	+$229K
396	DeSales University	PA	47	$45,505	$31,643	+$328K
397	Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion	IN	47	$43,448	$22,866	+$343K
398	Thomas College	ME	47	$42,174	$18,885	+$346K
399	Bluefield University	VA	47	$41,005	$25,573	+$308K
400	Franklin University	OH	47	$38,103	$25,243	+$280K
401	American International College	MA	47	$37,408	$23,274	+$281K
402	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks	PA	47	$37,240	$24,356†	+$275K
403	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus	PA	47	$36,959	$30,434†	+$248K
404	Marist University	NY	47	$36,765	$41,544	+$201K
405	Nevada State University	NV	47	$36,363	$14,068†	+$307K
406	University of South Alabama	AL	47	$36,216	$17,648†	+$292K
407	Middle Georgia State University	GA	47	$35,930	$12,361†	+$310K
408	Arkansas Tech University	AR	47	$35,207	$12,970†	+$300K
409	Shorter University	GA	47	$34,829	$16,646	+$282K
410	Texas A&M University-Kingsville	TX	47	$34,401	$12,090†	+$296K
411	The University of Alabama	AL	47	$34,194	$22,420†	+$252K
412	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University	FL	47	$33,776	$13,739†	+$283K
413	Vermont State University	VT	47	$33,093	$18,212†	+$258K
414	Alcorn State University	MS	47	$30,617	$13,265†	+$253K
415	Northwestern State University of Louisiana	LA	47	$30,559	$13,606†	+$251K
416	Texas Southern University	TX	47	$29,763	$16,590†	+$231K
417	Point Loma Nazarene University	CA	46	$45,022	$38,729	+$295K
418	Western New England University	MA	46	$41,564	$27,290	+$306K
419	Concordia University Ann Arbor	MI	46	$41,527	$32,811	+$284K
420	Keuka College	NY	46	$40,753	$24,338	+$310K
421	Campbell University	NC	46	$40,590	$24,516	+$308K
422	Azusa Pacific University	CA	46	$40,091	$22,212	+$312K
423	Carthage College	WI	46	$39,551	$26,565	+$289K
424	North Greenville University	SC	46	$39,415	$21,063	+$310K
425	Hilbert College	NY	46	$39,408	$22,723	+$303K
426	Johnson & Wales University-Providence	RI	46	$38,871	$31,027	+$265K
427	Temple University	PA	46	$38,612	$28,198†	+$273K
428	Eureka College	IL	46	$37,886	$17,349	+$309K
429	Pace University	NY	46	$36,734	$30,892	+$244K
430	William Carey University	MS	46	$35,540	$14,258	+$298K
431	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff	AR	46	$35,532	$12,653†	+$305K
432	St. John's University-New York	NY	46	$34,686	$29,999	+$227K
433	Virginia State University	VA	46	$34,604	$15,840†	+$283K
434	McNeese State University	LA	46	$34,178	$12,493†	+$292K
435	University of Minnesota-Crookston	MN	46	$33,062	$12,212†	+$282K
436	Tennessee State University	TN	46	$32,555	$15,796†	+$262K
437	Winston-Salem State University	NC	46	$31,564	$13,479†	+$262K
438	Long Island University	NY	46	$31,432	$33,062	+$182K
439	Merrimack College	MA	45	$43,323	$37,927	+$282K
440	Concordia University-Wisconsin	WI	45	$41,527	$36,201	+$270K
441	Albertus Magnus College	CT	45	$41,520	$34,028	+$279K
442	Midland University	NE	45	$41,149	$26,267	+$306K
443	Sacred Heart University	CT	45	$41,113	$46,174	+$226K
444	Xavier University	OH	45	$41,013	$32,997	+$278K
445	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus	OH	45	$40,557	$25,648†	+$303K
446	Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale	FL	45	$40,390	$30,498	+$282K
447	Brevard College	NC	45	$39,000	$23,509	+$296K
448	Ohio Northern University	OH	45	$38,918	$24,478	+$291K
449	University of Sioux Falls	SD	45	$38,858	$21,383	+$303K
450	University of Mount Union	OH	45	$38,440	$23,280	+$291K
451	West Texas A & M University	TX	45	$37,978	$19,487†	+$302K
452	Boise State University	ID	45	$37,891	$21,610†	+$292K
453	Buena Vista University	IA	45	$37,641	$18,846	+$301K
454	University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne	IN	45	$36,684	$18,196	+$294K
455	University of Louisiana at Lafayette	LA	45	$35,872	$13,530†	+$305K
456	Mount Mercy University	IA	45	$34,824	$20,168	+$268K
457	University of Alabama at Birmingham	AL	45	$34,459	$18,749†	+$270K
458	North Carolina Central University	NC	45	$33,829	$15,359†	+$277K
459	Texas A&M University-Texarkana	TX	45	$32,971	$12,997†	+$278K
460	Albany State University	GA	45	$31,868	$11,898†	+$271K
461	Fort Valley State University	GA	45	$29,445	$10,338†	+$253K
462	St. Thomas Aquinas College	NY	45	$27,997	$19,994	+$200K
463	Kansas Wesleyan University	KS	44	$37,301	$22,671	+$282K
464	American University	DC	44	$37,147	$41,943	+$204K
465	University of New Haven	CT	44	$36,455	$34,192	+$228K
466	Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies	MO	44	$36,223	$14,601	+$304K
467	Gardner-Webb University	NC	44	$35,433	$17,674	+$284K
468	Texas College	TX	44	$34,386	$10,958	+$300K
469	Southern University at New Orleans	LA	44	$33,494	$14,810†	+$276K
470	University of the Incarnate Word	TX	44	$32,771	$22,775	+$237K
471	Chadron State College	NE	44	$32,454	$12,549†	+$274K
472	Sul Ross State University	TX	44	$32,033	$13,286†	+$267K
473	Augusta University	GA	44	$29,397	$13,787†	+$239K
474	Caldwell University	NJ	44	$22,939	$24,691	+$131K
475	Delaware Valley University	PA	43	$39,673	$28,278	+$284K
476	Lynn University	FL	43	$39,496	$44,089	+$219K
477	Waynesburg University	PA	43	$37,582	$18,235	+$303K
478	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus	PA	43	$37,240	$32,875†	+$241K
479	Rider University	NJ	43	$36,053	$24,792	+$261K
480	University of South Carolina-Columbia	SC	43	$35,781	$22,811†	+$267K
481	Nelson University	TX	43	$35,708	$21,662	+$270K
482	Chaminade University of Honolulu	HI	43	$35,300	$28,856	+$238K
483	Thiel College	PA	43	$33,652	$22,347	+$247K
484	Culver-Stockton College	MO	43	$33,394	$21,983	+$246K
485	Goldey-Beacom College	DE	43	$32,960	$15,554	+$267K
486	Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses	IN	43	$31,114	$15,788	+$248K
487	Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies	IN	42	$36,510	$20,473	+$283K
488	University of Southern Mississippi	MS	42	$36,315	$21,708†	+$276K
489	Thomas More University	KY	42	$35,115	$21,835	+$264K
490	Olivet Nazarene University	IL	42	$34,877	$20,729	+$266K
491	East Texas Baptist University	TX	42	$34,506	$23,911	+$249K
492	Kent State University at Kent	OH	42	$33,980	$20,787†	+$257K
493	Lackawanna College	PA	42	$33,803	$19,951	+$258K
494	Blackburn College	IL	42	$33,739	$18,460	+$264K
495	North Carolina Wesleyan University	NC	42	$33,735	$17,432	+$268K
496	Point Park University	PA	42	$33,542	$25,942	+$232K
497	South Carolina State University	SC	42	$32,576	$18,097†	+$253K
498	Alabama A & M University	AL	42	$31,682	$17,621†	+$246K
499	Bluefield State University	WV	42	$30,506	$13,684†	+$250K
500	Southern Arkansas University Main Campus	AR	42	$28,541	$14,027†	+$229K
501	Southeastern University	FL	41	$41,291	$31,942	+$285K
502	Lees-McRae College	NC	41	$39,811	$28,340	+$285K
503	Drury University	MO	41	$38,014	$20,831	+$297K
504	Mississippi Christian University	MS	41	$37,324	$27,712	+$262K
505	Miami University-Oxford	OH	41	$36,612	$28,384†	+$253K
506	La Sierra University	CA	41	$34,885	$45,566	+$167K
507	Texas Christian University	TX	41	$34,556	$36,660	+$199K
508	Friends University	KS	41	$34,522	$27,715	+$234K
509	King University	TN	41	$33,580	$22,347	+$246K
510	Hampton University	VA	41	$31,335	$25,319	+$212K
511	College of Coastal Georgia	GA	41	$31,119	$15,261†	+$250K
512	East Tennessee State University	TN	41	$30,097	$15,983†	+$237K
513	University of Bridgeport	CT	41	$29,284	$27,807	+$182K
514	Livingstone College	NC	41	$27,405	$13,479	+$220K
515	University of Dayton	OH	41	$25,150	$29,533	+$133K
516	Felician University	NJ	40	$41,141	$40,045	+$251K
517	Campbellsville University	KY	40	$36,849	$19,341	+$291K
518	Indiana Institute of Technology	IN	40	$36,510	$23,206	+$272K
519	Rochester Institute of Technology	NY	40	$35,872	$34,906	+$219K
520	Adelphi University	NY	40	$34,240	$30,783	+$219K
521	Charleston Southern University	SC	40	$33,633	$21,666	+$250K
522	West Virginia Wesleyan College	WV	40	$31,400	$18,083	+$242K
523	Hawaii Pacific University	HI	40	$29,193	$29,657	+$173K
524	Seton Hall University	NJ	40	$27,167	$31,446	+$146K
525	Caribbean University-Bayamon	PR	40	$15,127	$4,665	+$133K
526	Caribbean University-Ponce	PR	40	$15,127	$4,964	+$131K
527	Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences	MO	39	$36,223	$22,766	+$271K
528	Belmont Abbey College	NC	39	$34,463	$24,639	+$246K
529	Mitchell College	CT	39	$32,782	$30,260	+$207K
530	Grace College and Theological Seminary	IN	39	$32,381	$19,932	+$244K
531	St. Mary's University	TX	39	$30,237	$21,145	+$218K
532	Our Lady of the Lake University	TX	39	$29,546	$16,442	+$230K
533	Lindsey Wilson University	KY	39	$29,512	$15,070	+$235K
534	University of Pikeville	KY	39	$27,025	$20,311	+$189K
535	New Mexico Highlands University	NM	39	$21,630	$14,838†	+$157K
536	Caribbean University-Carolina	PR	39	$15,127	$5,791	+$128K
537	Caribbean University-Vega Baja	PR	39	$15,127	$5,235	+$130K
538	Keystone College	PA	38	$33,645	$22,051	+$248K
539	Alabama State University	AL	38	$32,898	$20,435†	+$247K
540	Southern University and A & M College	LA	38	$32,499	$20,077†	+$245K
541	Methodist University	NC	38	$31,027	$24,704	+$211K
542	Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus	PR	38	$19,164	$7,646	+$161K
543	Champlain College	VT	37	$35,003	$35,860	+$207K
544	Lincoln University	MO	37	$32,331	$19,092†	+$247K
545	Guilford College	NC	37	$31,799	$22,270	+$229K
546	Utah Tech University	UT	37	$31,558	$16,039†	+$251K
547	Trine University	IN	37	$31,114	$25,355	+$210K
548	Claflin University	SC	37	$29,424	$17,800	+$223K
549	Dominican University New York	NY	37	$28,893	$41,832	+$122K
550	Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla	PR	37	$16,702	$8,742	+$132K
551	Bellarmine University	KY	36	$30,930	$21,499	+$223K
552	Howard University	DC	36	$27,801	$50,539	+$76K
553	Dillard University	LA	36	$26,744	$22,094	+$179K
554	Shaw University	NC	36	$25,649	$16,512	+$190K
555	Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce	PR	36	$20,129	$9,026	+$165K
556	Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus	PR	36	$19,052	$7,761	+$159K
557	Remington College-Fort Worth Campus	TX	35	$31,793	$25,913	+$214K
558	Remington College-Memphis Campus	TN	35	$31,793	$26,572	+$212K
559	Benedict College	SC	35	$23,838	$18,250	+$165K
560	Remington College-Dallas Campus	TX	34	$31,793	$29,805	+$199K
561	Remington College-Shreveport Campus	LA	34	$31,793	$30,758	+$195K
562	Jackson State University	MS	34	$27,101	$23,836†	+$176K
563	Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro	PR	34	$19,932	$9,788	+$160K
564	Clark Atlanta University	GA	33	$27,715	$37,702	+$126K
565	Saint Augustine's University	NC	31	$23,500	$24,313	+$138K
566	Grambling State University	LA	31	$23,046	$19,809†	+$151K
567	Alfred University	NY	30	$22,618	$25,620	+$124K
568	Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo	PR	29	$13,072	$9,217	+$94K
569	Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Fajardo	PR	28	$5,087	$9,230	+$14K

Top 10 programs by 10-year net ROI

How to read this: Median earnings = typical pay one year after graduation. Net price = average annual cost after grant aid, incl. living costs — not sticker tuition. 10-yr net ROI = ten years of earnings minus four years of net price. Score = the CollegeRanked Score (0–100) that sets the order — it blends ROI with longer-run earnings, job demand and automation resilience, so a school can outrank one with a slightly higher 10-yr ROI. † = public university — net price shown is the in-state cost; out-of-state students pay more. See the full methodology.

Why these schools rank where they do

Siena Heights University takes the #1 spot not because it is a traditional prestige powerhouse, but because it operates as a highly efficient machine for law enforcement career advancement. The university has deep, longstanding articulation agreements with police academies and community colleges across Michigan and the Midwest. Many of its graduates are already working professionals in law enforcement who use Siena Heights' flexible degree-completion programs to check the bachelor's box required to earn a promotion to sergeant, lieutenant, or state investigator. They graduate with minimal new debt and step right into an immediate pay bump.

The most surprising takeaway from this ranking is the sheer dominance of Herzing University, which occupies six spots in the top 25 across its various regional campuses. As a career-focused institution, Herzing caters heavily to adult learners and career-switchers who want a fast, pragmatic route into homeland security or local policing without the bloat of a traditional four-year campus experience. Meanwhile, the most famous program in the country—CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice—lands at #13. John Jay is a legendary pipeline into the NYPD, the FBI, and the Secret Service, but it gets edged out of the top ten simply because adult-completion programs at schools like Central Christian College of Kansas and Colorado State University Global offer highly flexible routes for working professionals who are already earning a paycheck in the field.

What is Criminal Justice?

Criminal justice is the study of how society controls crime, focusing on the practical operations of law enforcement, the court system, and corrections. Graduates spend their days doing everything from patrolling communities and investigating crime scenes to managing parolees, securing borders, or analyzing intelligence for federal agencies.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Criminal Justice degree to become a police officer?

No. Many local police departments only require a high school diploma or an associate degree, and they will put you through their own paid academy. However, a bachelor's degree is increasingly required for federal law enforcement roles (like the FBI, DEA, or ATF) and is usually a hard requirement if you want to climb the ranks into administration, specialized detective units, or police chief roles later in your career.

What is the difference between Criminal Justice and Criminology?

Criminal justice focuses on the system—how police, courts, and prisons operate and enforce the law on a daily basis. Criminology is the sociological and psychological study of why people commit crimes in the first place. If you want to be an officer or federal agent, criminal justice is the standard route. If you want to do academic research, behavioral profiling, or social policy work, criminology is the better fit.

Will this degree help me get into law school?

It can, but it isn't necessarily a golden ticket. Law schools care primarily about your GPA and LSAT score, not your specific major. While criminal justice introduces you to the legal system and constitutional law, many pre-law students find that majors requiring heavy reading, writing, and logical analysis—like philosophy, history, or English—prepare them better for the actual academic rigors of law school.

Why do so many online and adult-focused colleges rank highly for this major?

Law enforcement is a field where on-the-job experience pays dividends. Many of the top-ranking schools on this list specialize in degree-completion programs for adults who are already working in the criminal justice system. These students are leveraging their affordable, flexible degrees to unlock immediate salary bumps and promotions that their employers have already guaranteed, skewing the financial outcomes highly in their favor compared to traditional 18-year-old undergrads starting from scratch.