What are the Top Undergraduate Criminal Justice Schools?

When choosing a school to pursue your degree at, it is important to take into consideration the caliber of the program you are selecting. With more and more people attaining bachelor’s degrees today, the vigor of your program can set you apart during the application process for a job. However, the evaluation that goes into determining what a top undergraduate criminal justice school is a complicated one, so you should think about what is best for you as a student, instead of relying on rankings and ratings.

First and foremost, you should consider what kind of degree you are looking for. You can pursue an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s in criminal justice, and each goal would require a different set of parameters for selecting what your top undergraduate criminal justice schools would be. For example, if you are looking to get an associate’s degree, your top schools would be reputable, local community colleges. These programs would save you money in comparison to associate’s degrees at universities, and if they have a good reputation in the community, they will allow you to seek out a career nearby with credibility, like a police dispatch operator.

If you are interested in getting your bachelor’s degree, state universities are usually a good bet. You will save money by going to a state school in the state you reside by gaining in-state tuition waivers. Moreover, state schools tend to be appreciated by local law enforcement branches, giving you an in when you go to apply for a job. Finally, most state schools do offer some form of criminal justice program, whereas some private schools do not. Therefore, focusing on state universities will give you the best array of options, regardless.

However, if you are interested in gaining your master’s, the top undergraduate criminal justice school criteria changes. Your best bet, in order to save money, time, and frustration, is to look for a school that offers an accelerated master’s program. These programs combine the coursework for a bachelor’s and master’s degree, allowing you to complete what would have been six years of schooling in five. These programs are usually very competitive when it comes to the admissions process, but are tremendously beneficial if getting your master’s in criminal justice is your end goal.

This being said, there are plenty of excellent undergraduate schools to consider. According to US News and World Reports, some of the better schools include the University of Maryland, SUNY-Albany, University of Cincinnati, University of Missouri, Penn State, University of California-Irvine, Florida State, Michigan State, Rutgers, CUNY-John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Temple, Arizona State, Northeastern, University of Florida, and the University of Pennsylvania. The programs are difficult to get into, but provide an excellent education in criminal justice.