2026 Best Criminal Justice And Corrections Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Criminal Justice And Corrections master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1846 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than University Of Chicago this year in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
The strong Criminal Justice And Corrections programs at University Of San Diego earned it the #2 place in the United States. University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. See the full University Of San Diego profile
A rank of #3 makes University Of St Thomas Minnesota one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. In-state tuition and fees run about $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. More on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
The strong Criminal Justice And Corrections programs at Wayland Baptist University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Plainview, TX, Wayland Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 19% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,782. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Read more about Wayland Baptist University
Simpson College came in at #5 on this year's Criminal Justice And Corrections ranking in the United States. Based in Indianola, IA, Simpson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Read more about Simpson College
Southwestern College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Winfield, KS, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. Southwestern College posts a six-year graduation rate of 36%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,822. Students borrow a median of $26,874 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Get the full Southwestern College report
Texas Christian University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $20,429. See the full Texas Christian University profile
North Dakota State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. North Dakota State University Main Campus Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $23,125 in debt. More on North Dakota State University Main Campus
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #9 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. This public school is set in Lowell, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. University Of Massachusetts Lowell Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $24,822 in debt. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Lowell
George Washington University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. George Washington University Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Read the full report on George Washington University
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Mankato, MN. Minnesota State University Mankato posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Minnesota State University Mankato
University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #12 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Based in Platteville, WI, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $25,000. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Platteville
California State University Long Beach did well this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $15,000. Read the full report on California State University Long Beach
Illinois State University did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. Illinois State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $22,531. Read more about Illinois State University
Michigan State University placed #15 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Michigan State University
Lewis University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Romeoville, IL. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,200. Lewis University Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $20,000 in debt. Read more about Lewis University
University Of Louisville landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Louisville, KY. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. University Of Louisville Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $18,258 in debt. Read more about University Of Louisville
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Concordia University Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Concordia University Saint Paul Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $28,076 in debt. See the full Concordia University Saint Paul profile
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #19 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Located in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Get the full West Chester University Of Pennsylvania report
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. See the full Saint Louis University Main Campus profile
Seattle University placed #21 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Set in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,721. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $21,247. Read the full report on Seattle University
Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Based in Angola, IN, Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,176. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $26,000. Read the full report on Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus
Boston University placed #23 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $25,232. See the full Boston University profile
Curry College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Based in Milton, MA, Curry College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,570. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $25,000. Read more about Curry College
Northeastern University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,162. Students borrow a median of $22,809 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. More on Northeastern University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Criminal Justice And Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
George Mason University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Based in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $20,761 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. More on George Mason University
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #27 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Bloomington, IN. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Graduates carry a median of $19,464 in student loans. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #28 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public school based in Omaha, NE. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $22,561 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Get the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha report
Grand Valley State University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Grand Valley State University is a public school based in Allendale, MI. About 67% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. See the full Grand Valley State University profile
Colorado State University Global Campus came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Based in Denver, CO, Colorado State University Global Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,000. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $38,276. See the full Colorado State University Global Campus profile
University Of North Georgia placed #31 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Located in Dahlonega, GA, University Of North Georgia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $22,363. See the full University Of North Georgia profile
Loyola University Chicago ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Based in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full Loyola University Chicago profile
American Public University System did well this year, earning the #33 position. This private for-profit school is set in Charles Town, WV. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Read more about American Public University System
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #34 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Based in Killeen, TX, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. See the full Texas A And M University Central Texas profile
Columbus State University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Columbus, GA, Columbus State University is a public institution. About 43% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,917 in student loans. See the full Columbus State University profile
Desales University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Set in Center Valley, PA, Desales University is a private not-for-profit institution. Desales University graduates 72% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $46,800. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $27,000. See the full Desales University profile
Georgia College And State University did well this year, earning the #37 position. This public school is set in Milledgeville, GA. Georgia College And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $25,000. Read more about Georgia College And State University
Excelsior College did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Albany, NY, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit institution. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $14,875. See the full Excelsior College profile
Salve Regina University placed #39 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Newport, RI. About 77% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $50,100 in tuition and fees. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Salve Regina University
Xavier University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Located in Cincinnati, OH, Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,425. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $26,396. Read the full report on Xavier University
Fisher College placed #41 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Located in Boston, MA, Fisher College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 25% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,689. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $27,000. More on Fisher College
Bellevue University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bellevue, NE. About 33% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Read more about Bellevue University
Marywood University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Scranton, PA. Marywood University posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. Students from in state pay about $41,420 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,744 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. More on Marywood University
Ferris State University placed #44 among Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Set in Big Rapids, MI, Ferris State University is a public institution. Ferris State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $21,880 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Get the full Ferris State University report
Mississippi College came in at #45 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Clinton, MS. About 59% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Read more about Mississippi College
Saint Cloud State University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Located in Saint Cloud, MN, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. Saint Cloud State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $21,500. See the full Saint Cloud State University profile
Roger Williams University came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Set in Bristol, RI, Roger Williams University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,197. Roger Williams University Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. See the full Roger Williams University profile
Central Washington University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Set in Ellensburg, WA, Central Washington University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $21,954. Read more about Central Washington University
Florida State University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Graduates carry a median of $21,170 in student loans. More on Florida State University
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Shippensburg, PA, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Students from in state pay about $13,570 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $24,750. Read more about Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
Related Criminal Justice And Corrections Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Criminal Justice And Corrections Schools (All Levels)
- 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 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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