2026 Best Criminal Justice And Corrections Schools
Looking for the best Criminal Justice And Corrections programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 1846 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Criminal Justice And Corrections Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
University Of Chicago tops our 2026 ranking of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections programs schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $15,854. Get the full University Of Chicago report
A rank of #2 makes Herzing University Brookfield one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Brookfield, WI. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,450. Herzing University Brookfield Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $23,294 in debt. See the full Herzing University Brookfield profile
You'll be in good company at Herzing University Minneapolis, which ranked #3 this year. Based in St. Louis Park, MN, Herzing University Minneapolis is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,450. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $23,294. Get the full Herzing University Minneapolis report
The strong Criminal Justice And Corrections programs at Herzing University Atlanta earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Atlanta, GA, Herzing University Atlanta is a private not-for-profit institution. Herzing University Atlanta posts a six-year graduation rate of 18%. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $28,399 in student loans. More on Herzing University Atlanta
A rank of #5 makes University Of San Diego one of the top choices in the United States. Located in San Diego, CA, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. More on University Of San Diego
Akron Institute Of Herzing University placed #6 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Located in Akron, OH, Akron Institute Of Herzing University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,294 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Get the full Akron Institute Of Herzing University report
Herzing University Kenner did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Metairie, LA, Herzing University Kenner is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $23,294. Get the full Herzing University Kenner report
Herzing University Kenosha did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Kenosha, WI, Herzing University Kenosha is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,294 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. See the full Herzing University Kenosha profile
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota placed #9 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Winona, MN. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates 66% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Graduates carry a median of $28,708 in student loans. Read the full report on Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Herzing University Birmingham came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Birmingham, AL. Roughly 25% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,294 in student loans. Read more about Herzing University Birmingham
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Set in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $15,269. Read the full report on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Herzing University Madison did well this year, earning the #12 position. Herzing University Madison is a private not-for-profit school based in Madison, WI. About 22% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,450. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $23,294. More on Herzing University Madison
Wayland Baptist University placed #13 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Set in Plainview, TX, Wayland Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 19% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $23,782 in tuition and fees. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $25,000. Read the full report on Wayland Baptist University
Robert Morris University landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Located in Moon Township, PA, Robert Morris University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Students from in state pay about $35,770 in tuition and fees. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $26,748. Read more about Robert Morris University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. About 77% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. University Of St Thomas Minnesota Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $23,923 in debt. Get the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota report
Columbia Southern University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Set in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. About 26% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,224. Students borrow a median of $23,641 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. More on Columbia Southern University
Reinhardt University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Reinhardt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waleska, GA. Reinhardt University graduates 44% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $30,074. Students borrow a median of $27,475 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Read the full report on Reinhardt University
Central Christian College Of Kansas came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in McPherson, KS. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,000. Students borrow a median of $36,076 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Read the full report on Central Christian College Of Kansas
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Norman, OK. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $27,156 in debt. See the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus profile
Southwestern College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Set in Winfield, KS, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 36% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,822. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $26,874. Get the full Southwestern College report
Herzing University Winter Park came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winter Park, FL. About 40% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,450. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $23,294. Read the full report on Herzing University Winter Park
Siena Heights University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Siena Heights University is a private not-for-profit school based in Adrian, MI. About 39% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,778. Graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Read the full report on Siena Heights University
Eastern Gateway Community College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in Steubenville, OH, Eastern Gateway Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,225, compared with $6,071 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,642 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Get the full Eastern Gateway Community College report
Ashford University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in San Diego, CA, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Ashford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 10%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $37,625. See the full Ashford University profile
University Of Maryland University College did well this year, earning the #26 position. This public school is set in Adelphi, MD. About 20% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $25,062. Read the full report on University Of Maryland University College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Criminal Justice And Corrections Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Waldorf College placed #27 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Set in Forest City, IA, Waldorf College is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 24% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $25,978. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Waldorf College report
Southern Illinois University Carbondale did well this year, earning the #28 position. Based in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $23,730. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
American Public University System ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Located in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. American Public University System Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $21,243 in debt. More on American Public University System
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Daytona Beach, FL, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 23%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,097. Students borrow a median of $20,787 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. See the full Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide profile
Prince Georges Community College did well this year, earning the #31 position. Set in Largo, MD, Prince Georges Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,034 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $13,949. Read the full report on Prince Georges Community College
Colorado State University Global Campus ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Colorado State University Global Campus is a public school based in Denver, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000. Students borrow a median of $38,276 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. More on Colorado State University Global Campus
Bemidji State University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Located in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. Bemidji State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Graduates carry a median of $23,181 in student loans. Read the full report on Bemidji State University
Excelsior College placed #34 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Based in Albany, NY, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $14,875 in student loans. Get the full Excelsior College report
Granite State College placed #35 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Granite State College is a public school based in Manchester, NH. About 23% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,724, compared with $9,284 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,551 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. More on Granite State College
Moreno Valley College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Set in Moreno Valley, CA, Moreno Valley College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. More on Moreno Valley College
Alexandria Technical And Community College placed #37 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Set in Alexandria, MN, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Students borrow a median of $15,400 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. See the full Alexandria Technical And Community College profile
Western Illinois University came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Set in Macomb, IL, Western Illinois University is a public institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,572. Western Illinois University Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Read more about Western Illinois University
Fort Myers Technical College landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Fort Myers Technical College is a public school based in Fort Myers, FL. Read more about Fort Myers Technical College
Marian University Wisconsin did well this year, earning the #40 position. Marian University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit school based in Fond Du Lac, WI. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,204. Marian University Wisconsin Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $27,242 in debt. See the full Marian University Wisconsin profile
The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Based in Baltimore, MD, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $14,611. More on The Community College Of Baltimore County
Massachusetts Bay Community College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. This public school is set in Wellesley Hills, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,856, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,333 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Get the full Massachusetts Bay Community College report
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina did well this year, earning the #43 position. Based in Charleston, SC, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Students borrow a median of $24,966 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Get the full Citadel Military College Of South Carolina report
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Read the full report on North Dakota State University Main Campus
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Set in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Minnesota State University Mankato posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $25,000. More on Minnesota State University Mankato
Concordia University Wisconsin did well this year, earning the #46 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mequon, WI. Concordia University Wisconsin posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Concordia University Wisconsin
National University came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. National University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $28,014 in student loans. More on National University
Loras College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Loras College is a private not-for-profit school based in Dubuque, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,824. Loras College Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on Loras College
Simpson College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Indianola, IA, Simpson College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Students from in state pay about $47,656 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Get the full Simpson College report
University Of North Dakota landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Grand Forks, ND. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. More on University Of North Dakota
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #51 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,760. Saint Louis University Main Campus Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $23,694 in debt. Read the full report on Saint Louis University Main Campus
Best Criminal Justice And Corrections Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Criminal Justice And Corrections Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Criminal Justice And Corrections Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Criminal Justice And Corrections Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Criminal Justice And Corrections Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Criminal Justice And Corrections Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Criminal Justice And Corrections Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Criminal Justice And Corrections Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1846 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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