This article comprises a list of the best criminal justice universities that are the top destinations for students who want to pursue a career in the criminal justice field in 2025. Keep reading to explore these institutions.

In recent decades, there has been a sharp increase in student enrollment in law enforcement. According to a report by the National University, the number of criminal justice careers is projected to increase by 7.6% from 20223 to 2033. For that reason, most students are looking for the best criminal justice university to help them gear up for their careers.

However, finding the best university for this degree program is always stressful as numerous universities offer criminal justice majors. If you are also looking for the best university for criminal justice, then we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll share a list of the best criminal justice universities to help you choose the best college for this major in 2025.

Before moving on to these universities, let’s explore the criminal justice degree program.

What is the Criminal Justice Program?

The criminal justice major includes studies of the criminal justice system, evaluation of the factors that play a role in criminal behaviour, and potential measurements for society’s betterment. Additionally, this subject investigates the inner workings of the law enforcement system and explores court procedures, the causes of crime, and all the other roles related to the system.

This degree program is different from the criminology major. Criminology is a social science that explores the detailed study of crime, finding why people commit crimes and ways to prevent them. On the contrary, criminal justice is more likely to focus on the practical aspects, such as how the court proceeds with criminal cases, the role of police, how prison works, etc.

During high school, many teachers ask students to write an essay on topics related to criminal justice, such as juvenile justice, law enforcement, cybersecurity, and more. The prime purpose of this writing task is to encourage students to understand this subject before choosing it as their major. However, most students find it hard to complete this task. Therefore, they contact a first-class essay writing service to get assistance in this writing process.

Now that you have explored the criminal justice program, it’s time to hop on the best universities you must know.

10 Best Criminal Justice Universities to Boost Your Career in 2025

Numerous universities are offering degrees with criminal justice majors. Selecting one of them is not easy for students; however, here we are going to mention a list of the top 10 colleges with good criminal justice programs according to the ranking by US News & World Report.

Let’s get started to explore these universities with criminal justice majors.

Rutgers University

Acceptance Rate: 65%

# 41 in National Universities

Annual Fees: $22,675

Student-Faculty Ratio: 15:1

Rutgers University is located in New Jersey and is the top criminal justice university. This institution has three different campuses nationwide and offers online degrees in criminal justice, making this degree program flexible for students. The courses of the criminal justice program include both general education courses and research method courses. These courses help learners to:

• Explore the law enforcement systems.
• Understand why the crimes happen.
• Investigate how the legal proceeding occurs.

Hence, these learners graduate from this university with an in-depth understanding of the law enforcement department. The best part of this college is its faculty, who are not just educators but are veterans of the justice system, criminal courts, and forensics. They teach students by demonstrating practical work of criminal theories so they can hit the ground running.

University of Georgia

Acceptance Rate: 37%

# 18 in Public Schools

Annual Cost: $15,111

4-Year Graduation Rate: 72%

The University of Georgia has successfully made its place in the list of best universities for criminology. This university must be your top pick if you are living in Athens. However, you must apply for this major at the University of Georgia in your sophomore year, as this program is one of the most competitive.

Moreover, this program offers a wide range of courses, including:

• Legal system
• Criminology
• Law enforcement

The best thing about the criminal justice program at this university is that students get access to career mentoring and hands-on experience. Not only this experience, but this degree program also prepares them to earn competitive salaries after completing their degree program. In addition, students get an opportunity to take part in internships, which empower them to make connections in the professional field before graduating from college.

Florida State University

Student-Faculty Ratio: 17:1

# 54 in National Universities

Acceptance Rate: 25%

Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,217

If you live in Florida, Florida State University is the best school for a criminal justice major. This university is known for its excellence, research, and faculty. Furthermore, it brags about its rich history as one of the oldest schools in the nation.

Do you know what is the most important thing that makes this university distinguishable from others? It is a comprehensive curriculum which encompasses almost all aspects of criminal justice. This curriculum ensures comprehensive educational training, eventually enhancing the chances of a lucrative career.

Moreover, this university’s faculty offers students a wealth of academic expertise and field experience, which provides a deeper understanding of the case study and its practical applications in the criminal justice field.

Thus, you can join this school to acquire a physical or online degree program with a criminology and criminal justice major. Just visit this university or explore its official website to get to know its admission requirements so that you secure a seat in this prestigious institution.

Bonus Tip: If you want to increase your chances of getting admission to this university, then you must have a strong coursework background in criminal justice, demonstrate that you can tackle university life’s hurdles, and have an exceptional extra-curricular profile.

Northeastern University

Retention Rate: 93%

Acceptance Rate: 6%

Annual Fees: $28,521

Student-Faculty Ratio: 15:1

This university was founded in 1967, and since then, it has been known as one of the best universities for criminal justice in the US. Students enjoy learning in small classes and collaborating with the faculty on their research projects.

Additionally, this university is among the top institutions for the following reasons:

• Northeastern University offers students real-world experience in the field, which enables them to tackle challenges in the professional world.
• The curriculum of the criminal justice program is based on interdisciplinary subjects ranging from sociology to psychology to law.
• It has various research centres designed to solve criminal justice issues.
• The faculty members of this institution are usually engaged in research and social work.

This degree program comprises the study of the following courses:

• Law enforcement
• Incarceration
• Terrorism
• Juvenile justice
• Criminal law

George Washington University

# 63 in National Universities

4-Year Graduation Rate: 79%

Acceptance Rate: 44%

Student-Faculty Ratio: 12:1

George Washington University is located in Washington, D.C. This is the fifth university in the best schools for criminology. The show’s highlight is that you can combine the criminal justice course with public administration or criminology at this institution. You can also avail yourself of top-notch internship opportunities in the criminal justice field while enrolling in the educational institute.

The criminal justice program at George Washington University’s curriculum is based on sociology topics, such as understanding the law enforcement system, the reasons people commit crimes, and what policies are needed to overcome the crime rate.

Additionally, this school offers two main programs in criminology:

• BS in Criminology: This program enables students to develop strong research skills.
• BA in Criminology: The prime focus of the degree is providing students with a vast liberal arts education.

Also, if you want to graduate with a criminal justice major, the criminal justice BS program must be your top pick. In this program, you will study criminology and policy making, law enforcement, ethics, incarceration, and law.

Michigan State University

Acceptance Rate: 84%

#30 in Top Public Schools

Student-Faculty Ratio: 17:1

Undergraduate Enrollment: 40,822

Michigan State University must be your top pick if you want to make your career in the criminal justice industry. This institution was established in 1935, and since then, it has enjoyed an exceptional legacy of excellence. The best part of the criminal justice degree program is its curriculum, which is designed to provide learners a broad understanding of the criminal system, law enforcement, the court, and the legal system.

Additionally, this university is known for its comprehensive curriculum and strong focus on research. The subjects that are covered in this curriculum include:

• Corrections
• Law enforcement
• Criminology

The best thing is that at this institution, students can use the extensive resources of the university, get hands-on learning opportunities, participate in internships, and receive guidance from the expert faculty.

Further, a degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University empowers learners to join the top-rated research experts who have significantly impacted the criminal justice field. Thus, if you are passionate about pursuing a lucrative career in the criminal justice field, you must enrol in this degree program at this school.

The Pennsylvania State University

Acceptance Rate: 54%

#30 in Top Public Schools

Annual Fees: $32,233

4-Year Graduation Rate: 72%

Pennsylvania State University is the top choice for most students seeking a criminal justice degree. This degree program is a perfect blend of criminal justice coursework and the liberal arts. This combination further enables graduates to gain a deeper understanding of the operation of the criminal justice system. It also plays a significant role in polishing communication, critical thinking, and research skills.

The curriculum of the criminal justice program at this school covers the following subjects:

• Law enforcement
• Crime control policies
• Corrections
• Courts

Do you know that the main reason students choose this institution is its distinguished faculty, which has extensive expertise and experience in applying the theoretical framework of criminology? Learning from these industry experts provides students with well-rounded perspectives, enabling them to tackle challenges in the criminal justice field.

University of Pittsburgh

Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1

Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,220

Median Salary of a Graduate: $54,240

Acceptance Rate: 50%

The University of Pittsburgh is one of the top choices for students who want to get an education in criminal justice subjects. This well-known criminal justice school ranked #70 in the top national universities for the criminal justice major in the US News & World Report.

The best part of this university is that the criminology program combines a comprehensive curriculum, expert faculty, and practical knowledge, which lay the foundation for students’ success. This program also polishes critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Moreover, by enrolling in this school, students can get benefits in the following ways:

• Get exposure to the real world by grabbing internship opportunities from this university.
• By completing graduation from this criminal justice school, they can surely achieve a high placement rate.
• Get guidance from industry experts with extensive experience in criminal justice and criminology.
• This college’s graduate and undergraduate degrees allow students to tailor their future goals.

Indiana University

Student-Faculty Ratio: 18:1

Acceptance Rate: 80%

Annual Cost: $15,727

4-Year Graduation Rate: 71%

Indiana University is one of the biggest public universities in the country, located in Bloomington. This larger public university is also considered one of the best criminal justice universities in Indiana state. It offers top-notch undergraduate, graduate, and master’s degree programs in criminology and criminal justice.

Moreover, this program is known for its interdisciplinary curriculum, research facilities, and esteemed faculty. It is saying, without any doubt, that this university prepares its graduates for lucrative careers such as higher-level government jobs in law enforcement.

The prime reason why students prioritise this institution is its curriculum, which consists:

• Law
• Corrections
• Legal Proceeding
• Public policy
• Criminology

In addition, Indiana University has strong connections with reputable organisations that provide experiential internships to students, enabling them to enjoy successful careers in this field. The faculty of this school comprises expert practitioners and academic scholars, which provides learners with a holistic education to understand the intricacies of the field.

University of Illinois

Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,102

Acceptance Rate: 79%

Median Salary of Graduate: $ 53,211

Student-Faculty Ratio: 17:1

The last college in our list of the best schools for criminal justice is the University of Illinois, located in Chicago. It is considered among the best colleges because it offers a mixture of criminal justice subjects with a liberal arts education. Like other universities, the curriculum of this school is law, criminology, and justice.

Students pick this institution because of its top-notch interdisciplinary approach, expert faculty, and strong industry connections. The prime focus of this degree program is to analyse the real-world experiences which provide students with a broader understanding of the justice system.

The best part of this degree program is that it brings practical work and case studies into the classroom, which enables students to apply the knowledge in the practical world. Thus, this degree program truly offers you a chance to understand the numerous criminal justice challenges in the bustling population of Chicago.

What is the High-level Degree in Criminal Justice?

The highest degree in criminal justice is the Doctorate in Criminal Justice. To achieve this degree, students have to complete their post-graduate or master’s degree with a major in criminology or criminal justice. This degree is for those students who want to pursue a career in the administrative, government, or research field.

Subjects that students will be covered under this degree program are the following:

• Criminology
• Statistical Analysis
• Research Methods
• Criminal law
• Justice Policy

During this degree completion, they also have to write essays on topics related to the above-mentioned subjects. However, writing an essay on this complex topic is not a piece of cake; therefore, many students feel devastated while writing this piece of paper. Such students can approach top-rated essay writing companies in the UK to ensure the successful completion of this academic task.

Who Earns the Most in the Criminal Justice Field?

Undoubtedly, criminal justice is a highly lucrative career path for students completing their degree program in the criminal justice field. However, the highest-paid roles in this field are related to law enforcement, such as chief of police or an FBI agent. The salaries of these professionals are around $150,000, depending on their experience and expertise level.

The reason behind these high salaries is that these roles play a significant role in ensuring the safety of society. So, if you also want to be well-paid in this industry, you can opt for any of these roles from the criminal justice field.

Conclusion

Criminal justice is a popular subject that analyses the theories used in the criminal justice system. This subject helps you better understand the judicial system, crime, its reasons, and its impacts on society. Pursuing a career in this field is definitely an amazing career choice. To succeed in this career, you must choose the best criminal justice school.

However, there are numerous criminal justice colleges out there, and choosing one of them is not a walk in the park for students. Therefore, to help students, we have enlisted the 10 best criminal justice universities that offer world-class degree programs with criminal justice majors.

You just have to thoroughly research these institutions to explore what they offer, their faculty’s expertise level, and the practical opportunities you will explore there. This will help you pick the top college that meets your career goals.

Author Bio

Logan Walker is an essay writer and chief of staff at the police department. He aims to encourage students to join his department so that they foster trust in the community and play a key role in ensuring the safety of all citizens. For this, Walker wrote many essays on the importance of criminal justice so that students would make wise decisions for their future.