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Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region

2023 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region

263 Colleges
$34,051 Avg Salary
$28,418 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Criminal Justice & Corrections School for You

In 2020-2021, 113,121 criminal justice and corrections students received a degree or certificate, making the major the #7 most popular in the country.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 263 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges.

Top 25 Top Southeast Region Schools in Criminal Justice & Corrections

Our analysis found Herzing University - Atlanta to be the best school for criminal justice and corrections students who want to pursue a degree in the Southeast Region . Herzing University - Atlanta is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Atlanta.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Herzing University - Atlanta take out $25,850 in student loans while working on their degree.

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A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Herzing University - Kenner is a great place for criminal justice and corrections students. Located in the city of Kenner, Herzing University - Kenner is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Herzing University - Kenner take out $25,971 in student loans while working on their degree.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Herzing University - Birmingham is a great place for criminal justice and corrections students. Located in the large suburb of Birmingham, Herzing University - Birmingham is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at Herzing University - Birmingham take out is $25,971.

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#4

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Columbia Southern University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region list. Columbia Southern University is a large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Orange Beach.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at Columbia Southern University take out is $24,746.

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#5

Reinhardt University

Waleska, GA

Out of the 263 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Reinhardt University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the rural area of Waleska, Reinhardt University is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Criminal Justice majors at Reinhardt University take out an average of $32,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

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Herzing University - Winter Park landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best criminal justice and corrections programs. Herzing University - Winter Park is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park.

After completing their degree, criminal justice graduates from Herzing University - Winter Park carry an average student debtload of $25,971.

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American Public University System landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best criminal justice and corrections programs. American Military University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at American Military University take out is $19,722.

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With a ranking of #8, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide did quite well on this year’s best schools for criminal justice and corrections students. Located in the small city of Daytona Beach, Embry-Riddle Worldwide is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at Embry-Riddle Worldwide take out is $25,000.

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With a ranking of #9, Fort Myers Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for criminal justice and corrections students. Located in the city of Fort Myers, Fort Myers Technical College is a public school with a fairly small student population.

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With a ranking of #10, Citadel Military College of South Carolina did quite well on this year’s best schools for criminal justice and corrections students. The Citadel is a small public school located in the midsize city of Charleston.

On average, criminal justice graduates from The Citadel take out $24,000 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $633.

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#11

University of Georgia

Athens, GA

University of Georgia came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. UGA is a very large public school located in the city of Athens.

On average, criminal justice graduates from UGA take out $22,195 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#12

Bethel University

McKenzie, TN

Bethel University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the distant town of McKenzie, Bethel is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Bethel take out $26,583 in student loans while working on their degree.

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Withlacoochee Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the small suburb of Inverness, WTC is a public school with a small student population.

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#14

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, NC

University of Mount Olive landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best criminal justice and corrections programs. Located in the town of Mount Olive, UMO is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their degree, criminal justice majors at UMO accumulate an average of around $30,515 in student debt.

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#15

Lees - McRae College

Banner Elk, NC

Lees - McRae College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the rural area of Banner Elk, Lees - McRae College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their degree, criminal justice graduates from Lees - McRae College carry an average student debtload of $16,214.

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Northern Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a public college with a very large student population.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Northern Virginia Community College take out $24,500 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#17

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

George Mason University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #17 on the list. GMU is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax.

Criminal Justice majors at GMU take out an average of $22,250 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $411.

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#18

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the distant town of Cullowhee, WCU is a public school with a large student population.

While working on their degree, criminal justice majors at WCU accumulate an average of around $21,928 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $195, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Rasmussen University - Florida ranked #19 on this year’s Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region list. Rasmussen University - Florida is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Ocala.

Criminal Justice majors at Rasmussen University - Florida take out an average of $30,315 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#20

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, KSU Georgia is a public college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at KSU Georgia take out is $27,767. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $317.

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#21

Bellarmine University

Louisville, KY

With a ranking of #21, Bellarmine University did quite well on this year’s best schools for criminal justice and corrections students. Located in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine U is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Bellarmine U take out $25,637 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#22

Marymount University

Arlington, VA

Marymount University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #22 on the list. Marymount is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Arlington.

While working on their degree, criminal justice majors at Marymount accumulate an average of around $25,000 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $588.

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#23

Harding University

Searcy, AR

Harding University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region list. Harding is a small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Searcy.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at Harding take out is $25,946.

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#24

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, GA

University of North Georgia did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in the distant town of Dahlonega, UNG is a public school with a large student population.

While working on their degree, criminal justice majors at UNG accumulate an average of around $20,500 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $156.

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John Tyler Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best criminal justice and corrections programs. John Tyler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of Chester.

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Rest of the Top Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region

#26

Georgia State University

Atlanta, GA
#28

Columbia College

Columbia, SC
#29

Shorter University

Rome, GA
#31

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL
#32

Radford University

Radford, VA
#35

Roanoke College

Salem, VA
#37

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA
#38

Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Beach, VA
#39

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Criminal Justice & Corrections students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
40 Augusta University Augusta, GA
41 King University Bristol, TN
42 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
43 Charleston Southern University Charleston, SC
44 Mississippi College Clinton, MS
45 Florida Gateway College Lake City, FL
46 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
47 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
48 Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FL
49 ECPI University Virginia Beach, VA
50 Mercer University Macon, GA
51 The University of Tennessee - Martin Martin, TN
52 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, GA

Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges by State

Explore the best criminal justice and corrections schools for a specific state in the Southeast region.

State Degrees Awarded
Georgia 2,158
Virginia 2,948
North Carolina 2,702
Florida 4,869
Tennessee 1,212
Kentucky 1,015
South Carolina 993
Louisiana 972
Arkansas 665
Alabama 1,413
Mississippi 581
West Virginia 1,320

One of 4 majors within the area of study, criminal justice and corrections has other similar majors worth exploring.

Majors Similar to Criminal Justice

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fire Protection 13,766
Homeland Security 7,140
Security Science and Technology 6,888
Other Homeland Security 1,695

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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