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Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region

183 Colleges
$39,141 Avg Salary
$29,816 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.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 183 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Criminal Justice & Corrections program at each school on the list.

Check out the criminal justice programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the Plains States Region .

Our analysis found University of Nebraska at Omaha to be the most popular school for criminal justice and corrections students who want to pursue a degree in the Plains States Region . Located in the large city of Omaha, UNOMAHA is a public school with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at UNOMAHA take out is $23,451. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $169, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Nebraska at Omaha Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Missouri Southern State University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the small city of Joplin, Missouri Southern is a public college with a small student population.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Missouri Southern take out $30,141 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Missouri Southern State University

#4

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, MN

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Hennepin Technical College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a public school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, criminal justice graduates from Hennepin Technical College carry an average student debt load of $20,396.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Hennepin Technical College Report

#5

Columbia College

Columbia, MO

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Columbia College is a great place for criminal justice and corrections students. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Columbia College Missouri take out $27,546 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Columbia College

#6

Park University

Parkville, MO

With a ranking of #6, Park University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. Located in the large suburb of Parkville, Park University is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

After completing their degree, criminal justice graduates from Park University carry an average student debt load of $20,000.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Park University

#7

Grantham University

Lenexa, KS

Grantham University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the small city of Lenexa, Grantham University is a private for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at Grantham University take out is $32,927.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Grantham University

#8

Capella University

Minneapolis, MN

Capella University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the large city of Minneapolis.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Capella University take out $35,500 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Capella University Report

#9

Central Community College

Grand Island, NE

Central Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular criminal justice and corrections programs. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Central Community College Report

#10

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, MO

University of Central Missouri ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region list. UCM is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg.

While working on their degree, criminal justice majors at UCM accumulate an average of around $23,578 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 $153.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Central Missouri Report

#10

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the large city of Saint Paul, Metro State is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Criminal Justice majors at Metro State take out an average of $31,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Metropolitan State University

Iowa State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the small city of Ames, Iowa State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at Iowa State take out is $24,500. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $285, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Alexandria Technical & Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the remote town of Alexandria, ATCC is a public school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, criminal justice majors at ATCC accumulate an average of around $15,750 in student debt.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Alexandria Technical & Community College

Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region list. Drury University - CCPS is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Springfield.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Drury University - CCPS take out $20,378 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies Report

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State Mankato is a public school with a large student population.

After completing their degree, criminal justice graduates from Minnesota State Mankato carry an average student debt load of $25,834.

Read More…

#16

Century College

White Bear Lake, MN

Century College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular criminal justice and corrections programs. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their degree, criminal justice majors at Century College accumulate an average of around $29,451 in student debt.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Century College Report

#17

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the small city of Saint Cloud, St. Cloud State University is a public college with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at St. Cloud State University take out is $25,314.

Read More…

#18

Wichita State University

Wichita, KS

With a ranking of #18, Wichita State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. WSU is a fairly large public school located in the city of Wichita.

After completing their degree, criminal justice graduates from WSU carry an average student debt load of $27,817.

Read More…

With a ranking of #19, Rasmussen University - Minnesota did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a small private for-profit school located in the city of St. Cloud.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at Rasmussen University - Minnesota take out is $30,315.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Rasmussen University - Minnesota Report

Des Moines Area Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region list. DMACC is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny.

On average, criminal justice graduates from DMACC take out $11,015 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Des Moines Area Community College

#21

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular criminal justice and corrections programs. Located in the small city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

After completing their degree, criminal justice graduates from Lindenwood University carry an average student debt load of $27,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $194, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#21

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, MN

With a ranking of #21, Bemidji State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. Located in the remote town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a public college with a small student population.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Bemidji State University take out $22,769 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular criminal justice and corrections programs. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Fargo.

Criminal Justice majors at North Dakota State University take out an average of $22,749 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

#24

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND

University of North Dakota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in the small city of Grand Forks, UND is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, criminal justice graduates from UND take out $25,625 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of North Dakota Report

#25

Lake Region State College

Devils Lake, ND

Lake Region State College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Lake Region State College is a small public school located in the remote town of Devils Lake.

Criminal Justice majors at Lake Region State College take out an average of $12,750 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Lake Region State College Report

#26

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, MO
#26

Wayne State College

Wayne, NE

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Criminal Justice & Corrections students in the Plains States Region that almost earned our Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
28 Southwestern College Winfield, KS
29 Fort Hays State University Hays, KS
29 Saint Louis Community College Saint Louis, MO
31 Mineral Area College Park Hills, MO
32 Concordia University, Saint Paul Saint Paul, MN
33 Normandale Community College Bloomington, MN
34 Washburn University Topeka, KS
34 Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Cloquet, MN
36 Central Lakes College - Brainerd Brainerd, MN
36 North Hennepin Community College Brooklyn Park, MN

Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges by State

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

State Degrees Awarded
Missouri 1,273
Minnesota 1,525
Kansas 586
Iowa 627
Nebraska 608
North Dakota 225
South Dakota 154

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

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.

  • 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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