376 Best Public Criminal Justice Universities in the USA

Compare 1,777 programs at 376 universities in the USA — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 1,777 Universities 376 Scholarships 307

376 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan · Public University · Est. 1855

US #2 QS World #158 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $19,680/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $67,253
Students: 40,922

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Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey · Public University · Est. 1766

US #6 QS World #217 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $24,406/yr
Admission rate: 58%
Earnings (10yr): $74,479
Students: 37,751

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Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa · Public University · Est. 1858

US #17 QS World #481 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $18,589/yr
Admission rate: 89%
Earnings (10yr): $63,386
Students: 25,367

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Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida · Public University · Est. 1851

US #23 QS World #561 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $11,297/yr
Admission rate: 24%
Earnings (10yr): $61,675
Students: 32,212

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University of South Florida

Tampa, Florida · Public University · Est. 1956

US #27 QS World #601 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $9,812/yr
Admission rate: 43%
Earnings (10yr): $57,743
Students: 37,207

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Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1884

US #32 QS World #631 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $28,198/yr
Admission rate: 80%
Earnings (10yr): $63,727
Students: 20,970

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University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska · Public University · Est. 1869

US #33 QS World #651 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $17,747/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $56,887
Students: 19,178

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University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Norman, Oklahoma · Public University · Est. 1890

US #34 QS World #701 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $15,300/yr
Admission rate: 77%
Earnings (10yr): $63,126
Students: 22,734

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University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, Washington · Public University · Est. 1861

US #38 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,091/yr
Admission rate: 39%
Earnings (10yr): $78,466
Students: 31,942

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University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona · Public University · Est. 1885

US #39 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $16,674/yr
Admission rate: 86%
Earnings (10yr): $59,979
Students: 42,537

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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1855

US #40 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $32,875/yr
Admission rate: 61%
Earnings (10yr): $63,435
Students: 42,284

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Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, Arizona · Public University · Est. 1885

US #41 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $14,967/yr
Admission rate: 90%
Earnings (10yr): $62,668
Students: 64,674

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University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, Ohio · Public University · Est. 1819

US #42 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $25,648/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $54,810
Students: 29,882

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University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, Wisconsin · Public University · Est. 1848

US #44 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $17,354/yr
Admission rate: 45%
Earnings (10yr): $73,792
Students: 36,902

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University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1787

US #45 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $30,434/yr
Admission rate: 58%
Earnings (10yr): $66,125
Students: 20,370

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University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia · Public University · Est. 1785

US #49 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $13,936/yr
Admission rate: 38%
Earnings (10yr): $68,726
Students: 32,137

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University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas · Public University · Est. 1864

US #50 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $18,059/yr
Admission rate: 93%
Earnings (10yr): $61,945
Students: 21,217

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University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada · Public University · Est. 1957

US #52 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $10,359/yr
Admission rate: 96%
Earnings (10yr): $55,037
Students: 24,622

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Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens, Ohio · Public University · Est. 1804

US #59 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $21,637/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $52,581
Students: 19,633

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Utah State University

Logan, Utah · Public University · Est. 1888

US #62 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,936/yr
Admission rate: 92%
Earnings (10yr): $54,022
Students: 20,272

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University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia · Public University · Est. 1819

US #63 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $21,565/yr
Admission rate: 17%
Earnings (10yr): $86,863
Students: 17,597

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Kent State University at Kent

Kent, Ohio · Public University · Est. 1910

US #67 ROI F Admissions open

Net price: $20,787/yr
Admission rate: 86%
Earnings (10yr): $45,388
Students: 19,320

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Idaho State University

Pocatello, Idaho · Public University · Est. 1901

US #70 ROI F Admissions open

Net price: $12,193/yr
Earnings (10yr): $45,608
Students: 7,583

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Washington State University

Pullman, Washington · Public University · Est. 1959

US #75 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,971/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $68,905
Students: 21,099

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What this subject pays

Graduates of Criminal Justice programmes report a median $35,259 two years after finishing, across 783 programmes that publish the figure , against median debt of $26,000.

Criminal Justice pay by degree level →

Related subjects

Homeland Security Law (JD)

By university type

All Criminal Justice universities Private Criminal Justice universities

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Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for public Criminal Justice universities in the USA?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include Michigan State University, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Iowa State University. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study public Criminal Justice universities in the USA?

Costs vary widely by university: public institutions charge in-state residents far less than out-of-state and international students, and private universities set one price for everyone. Every listing above shows the published tuition and net price we hold from the federal College Scorecard, so you can compare like with like.

Can international students work while studying public Criminal Justice universities in the USA?

Yes, within the rules of the F-1 student visa: on-campus work during term, Curricular Practical Training tied to the program, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating — with a longer extension for eligible STEM degrees.

About public Criminal Justice universities in the USA

This page lists public Criminal Justice universities in the USA held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Program and cost figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

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