31 Best Public PhD Criminal Justice Universities in the USA

Compare 43 programs at 31 universities in the USA — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 43 Universities 31 Scholarships 0

31 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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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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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 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 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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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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University at Albany

Albany, New York · Public University · Est. 1844

US #91 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $17,167/yr
Admission rate: 69%
Earnings (10yr): $67,979
Students: 12,564

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Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana · Public University · Est. 1820

US #94 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $16,264/yr
Admission rate: 78%
Earnings (10yr): $63,742
Students: 37,806

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CUNY Graduate School and University Center

New York, New York · Public University · Est. 1961

US #96 ROI A Admissions open

Tuition: USD 15,185/yr
Admission rate: 68%
Earnings (10yr): $65,991
Students: 3,254

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George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia · Public University · Est. 1957

US #100 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $17,915/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $76,343
Students: 27,752

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University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota · Public University · Est. 1883

US #104 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $18,551/yr
Admission rate: 77%
Earnings (10yr): $63,552
Students: 9,981

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University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida · Public University · Est. 1963

US #113 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $10,411/yr
Admission rate: 40%
Earnings (10yr): $58,308
Students: 59,146

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University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina · Public University · Est. 1801

US #115 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $22,811/yr
Admission rate: 60%
Earnings (10yr): $62,177
Students: 29,820

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North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Fargo, North Dakota · Public University · Est. 1890

US #117 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $15,543/yr
Admission rate: 95%
Earnings (10yr): $62,203
Students: 9,471

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Florida International University

Miami, Florida · Public University · Est. 1965

US #123 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $9,288/yr
Admission rate: 55%
Earnings (10yr): $60,249
Students: 39,508

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University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, Illinois · Public University · Est. 1983

US #128 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $10,974/yr
Admission rate: 77%
Earnings (10yr): $68,740
Students: 22,170

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Georgia State University

Atlanta, Georgia · Public University · Est. 1913

US #146 ROI D Admissions open

Net price: $15,931/yr
Admission rate: 55%
Earnings (10yr): $47,384
Students: 26,623

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University of Nebraska at Omaha

Omaha, Nebraska · Public University · Est. 1908

US #157 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $13,441/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $53,909
Students: 11,488

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University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, Arkansas · Public University · Est. 1927

US #165 ROI F Admissions open

Net price: $17,248/yr
Admission rate: 59%
Earnings (10yr): $45,265
Students: 4,949

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Pennsylvania Western University

California, Pennsylvania · Public University

US #181 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $18,256/yr
Admission rate: 94%
Earnings (10yr): $47,295
Students: 7,451

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Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas · Public University · Est. 1899

US #184 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $16,805/yr
Admission rate: 89%
Earnings (10yr): $56,906
Students: 36,177

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University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky · Public University · Est. 1798

US #186 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $17,988/yr
Admission rate: 79%
Earnings (10yr): $53,899
Students: 14,727

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University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi · Public University · Est. 1910

US #227 ROI F Admissions open

Net price: $21,708/yr
Admission rate: 99%
Earnings (10yr): $44,140
Students: 10,075

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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 →

By university type

All Criminal Justice universities

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Frequently asked questions

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

By our composite ranking, the top choices include Michigan State University, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Florida 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 PhD 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 PhD 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 PhD Criminal Justice universities in the USA

This page lists public PhD 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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