University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights affordable programs in criminal justice.
Future university students want to earn a degree in a field of their choosing so that they can be productive and also enjoy their careers. However, tuition costs have gone up nearly every year for decades, making it more difficult for families to afford higher education aspirations for their children.
This is true of criminal justice programs at colleges and universities across the United States, many of which did not exist 20 years ago. Many university administrators realize that, if they want students to come to their institutions, they have to make sure that their degrees are affordable.
Well-designed undergraduate criminal justice programs expose their students to the theories and practice of criminal justice. They also offer students opportunities to practice what they are learning. Students majoring in criminal justice may be required to choose an internship in the community or simply to complete a shadowing experience so that they can get a feel for a criminal justice job and what that may look like. Luckily, many of these students are also able to compete for scholarships and grants designed for those who are majoring in criminal justice. But even those who cannot find scholarships can choose to attend a school that won’t empty their wallet.
Top 50 Affordable Criminal Justice Colleges and Universities
1
Texas A&M International University
Score: 100
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,846
- Out-of-State:$19,382
- Net Price: $3,833
- Acceptance Rate: 46%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 8,536
- Undergrad Students: 7,004
- Graduate Students: 1,532
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
2
Ohio University-Eastern
Score: 99.65
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,178
- Out-of-State:$9,170
- Net Price: $3,897
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 20%
- Total Enrollment: 1,149
- Undergrad Students: 1,149
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
3
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Score: 98.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,470
- Out-of-State:$15,420
- Net Price: $4,141
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 13,510
- Undergrad Students: 11,678
- Graduate Students: 1,832
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
4
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Score: 96.72
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,064
- Out-of-State:$18,944
- Net Price: $4,438
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 15,181
- Undergrad Students: 12,730
- Graduate Students: 2,451
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
5
California State University-Los Angeles
Score: 96.1
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,818
- Out-of-State:$18,698
- Net Price: $4,551
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 25,080
- Undergrad Students: 21,527
- Graduate Students: 3,553
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
6
Ohio University-Southern
Score: 95.39
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,178
- Out-of-State:$9,170
- Net Price: $4,682
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 19%
- Total Enrollment: 1,639
- Undergrad Students: 1,639
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
7
Atlanta Metropolitan State College
Score: 94.2
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,105
- Out-of-State:$9,731
- Net Price: $4,902
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 37%
- Graduation Rate: 14%
- Total Enrollment: 1,551
- Undergrad Students: 1,551
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $59,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
8
Ohio University-Lancaster
Score: 94.02
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,178
- Out-of-State:$9,170
- Net Price: $4,935
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 14%
- Total Enrollment: 1,977
- Undergrad Students: 1,977
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $45,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
9
Dalton State College
Score: 93.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,283
- Out-of-State:$10,189
- Net Price: $5,083
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 30%
- Total Enrollment: 4,902
- Undergrad Students: 4,902
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $57,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
10
Ohio University-Chillicothe
Score: 92.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,178
- Out-of-State:$9,170
- Net Price: $5,304
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 12%
- Total Enrollment: 1,941
- Undergrad Students: 1,941
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
11
Indiana University-Northwest
Score: 90.66
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State:$22,043
- Net Price: $5,553
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Total Enrollment: 3,045
- Undergrad Students: 2,787
- Graduate Students: 258
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
12
Ohio University-Zanesville
Score: 89.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,178
- Out-of-State:$9,170
- Net Price: $5,715
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 18%
- Total Enrollment: 1,799
- Undergrad Students: 1,799
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
13
Northern New Mexico College
Score: 87.68
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,400
- Out-of-State:$14,328
- Net Price: $6,102
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 1,310
- Undergrad Students: 1,310
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
14
California State University-Fullerton
Score: 86.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,073
- Out-of-State:$18,953
- Net Price: $6,283
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 41,962
- Undergrad Students: 37,125
- Graduate Students: 4,837
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
15
Indiana University-Kokomo
Score: 85.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State:$22,043
- Net Price: $6,459
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 2,892
- Undergrad Students: 2,674
- Graduate Students: 218
- Grads Salary: $62,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
16
California State University-Bakersfield
Score: 85.16
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,696
- Out-of-State:$19,576
- Net Price: $6,567
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 9,787
- Undergrad Students: 8,336
- Graduate Students: 1,451
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
17
California State University-San Bernardino
Score: 84.73
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,675
- Out-of-State:$19,555
- Net Price: $6,645
- Acceptance Rate: 98%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 18,925
- Undergrad Students: 16,067
- Graduate Students: 2,858
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
18
Eastern New Mexico University
Score: 84.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,863
- Out-of-State:$8,843
- Net Price: $6,683
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 5,386
- Undergrad Students: 4,072
- Graduate Students: 1,314
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
19
Georgia Highlands College
Score: 84.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,944
- Out-of-State:$9,296
- Net Price: $6,779
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 21%
- Total Enrollment: 4,955
- Undergrad Students: 4,955
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $52,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
20
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Score: 82.93
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,859
- Out-of-State:$19,939
- Net Price: $6,978
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 31,931
- Undergrad Students: 27,040
- Graduate Students: 4,891
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
21
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto
Score: 82.22
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,760
- Out-of-State:$14,760
- Net Price: $7,108
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 575
- Undergrad Students: 183
- Graduate Students: 392
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 5:1
22
Fayetteville State University
Score: 81.19
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,969
- Out-of-State:$7,969
- Net Price: $7,298
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 6,847
- Undergrad Students: 5,845
- Graduate Students: 1,002
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
23
California State University-Stanislaus
Score: 81.09
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,826
- Out-of-State:$19,706
- Net Price: $7,316
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 9,841
- Undergrad Students: 8,669
- Graduate Students: 1,172
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
24
Elizabeth City State University
Score: 80.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,412
- Out-of-State:$7,412
- Net Price: $7,363
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 2,165
- Undergrad Students: 2,048
- Graduate Students: 117
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
25
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
Score: 79.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,327
- Out-of-State:$20,481
- Net Price: $7,554
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 9,736
- Undergrad Students: 2,548
- Graduate Students: 7,188
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 27:1
26
Coppin State University
Score: 79.09
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,001
- Out-of-State:$13,789
- Net Price: $7,684
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 26%
- Total Enrollment: 2,101
- Undergrad Students: 1,810
- Graduate Students: 291
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
27
Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Score: 79.09
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,040
- Out-of-State:$12,624
- Net Price: $7,685
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 26%
- Total Enrollment: 1,143
- Undergrad Students: 1,143
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $62,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
28
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Score: 77.03
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,200
- Out-of-State:$16,410
- Net Price: $8,064
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 5,794
- Undergrad Students: 3,207
- Graduate Students: 2,587
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
29
Louisiana State University-Alexandria
Score: 76.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,050
- Out-of-State:$14,650
- Net Price: $8,081
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 36%
- Total Enrollment: 5,330
- Undergrad Students: 5,330
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $53,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
30
Indiana University-South Bend
Score: 76.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State:$22,043
- Net Price: $8,090
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 36%
- Total Enrollment: 4,446
- Undergrad Students: 3,918
- Graduate Students: 528
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
31
Northern Kentucky University
Score: 76.56
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,896
- Out-of-State:$21,480
- Net Price: $8,151
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 14,961
- Undergrad Students: 9,927
- Graduate Students: 5,034
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
32
California State University-Northridge
Score: 76.17
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,095
- Out-of-State:$18,975
- Net Price: $8,222
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 37,760
- Undergrad Students: 32,429
- Graduate Students: 5,331
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
33
New Mexico State University
Score: 75.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,147
- Out-of-State:$25,271
- Net Price: $8,353
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 14,779
- Undergrad Students: 12,113
- Graduate Students: 2,666
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
34
Le Moyne-Owen College
Score: 75.41
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,076
- Out-of-State:$12,076
- Net Price: $8,362
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 25%
- Total Enrollment: 646
- Undergrad Students: 646
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
35
Savannah State University
Score: 74.63
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,498
- Out-of-State:$16,218
- Net Price: $8,506
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 25%
- Total Enrollment: 3,078
- Undergrad Students: 2,857
- Graduate Students: 221
- Grads Salary: $62,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
36
Utah Valley University
Score: 73.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,270
- Out-of-State:$17,830
- Net Price: $8,650
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 44,651
- Undergrad Students: 43,794
- Graduate Students: 857
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 28:1
37
Western New Mexico University
Score: 73.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,868
- Out-of-State:$14,354
- Net Price: $8,712
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 54%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 3,570
- Undergrad Students: 2,602
- Graduate Students: 968
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
38
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Score: 73.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,855
- Out-of-State:$16,497
- Net Price: $8,778
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 4,008
- Undergrad Students: 3,263
- Graduate Students: 745
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
39
Indiana University-Southeast
Score: 72.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State:$22,043
- Net Price: $8,829
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 3,752
- Undergrad Students: 3,286
- Graduate Students: 466
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
40
The University of West Florida
Score: 72.45
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,360
- Out-of-State:$19,241
- Net Price: $8,908
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 14,371
- Undergrad Students: 9,661
- Graduate Students: 4,710
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
41
University of North Texas at Dallas
Score: 71.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,590
- Out-of-State:$22,189
- Net Price: $9,109
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 3,797
- Undergrad Students: 3,018
- Graduate Students: 779
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
42
University of Arkansas Grantham
Score: 70.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,280
- Out-of-State:$8,280
- Net Price: $9,186
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 24%
- Graduation Rate: 24%
- Total Enrollment: 3,742
- Undergrad Students: 3,203
- Graduate Students: 539
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
43
Tennessee State University
Score: 70.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,568
- Out-of-State:$22,284
- Net Price: $9,231
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 8,198
- Undergrad Students: 6,765
- Graduate Students: 1,433
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
44
University of Illinois Springfield
Score: 70.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,252
- Out-of-State:$22,017
- Net Price: $9,241
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 4,661
- Undergrad Students: 2,342
- Graduate Students: 2,319
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
45
Harris-Stowe State University
Score: 70.31
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,442
- Out-of-State:$11,074
- Net Price: $9,302
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 27%
- Total Enrollment: 1,098
- Undergrad Students: 1,098
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
46
East Central University
Score: 70.02
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,032
- Out-of-State:$17,542
- Net Price: $9,355
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 3,200
- Undergrad Students: 2,460
- Graduate Students: 740
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
47
Clayton State University
Score: 69.79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,068
- Out-of-State:$15,790
- Net Price: $9,397
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 5,842
- Undergrad Students: 5,301
- Graduate Students: 541
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
48
Indiana University-East
Score: 69.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State:$22,043
- Net Price: $9,484
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 2,985
- Undergrad Students: 2,746
- Graduate Students: 239
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
49
Kentucky State University
Score: 68.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,214
- Out-of-State:$13,260
- Net Price: $9,672
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 27%
- Total Enrollment: 1,689
- Undergrad Students: 1,546
- Graduate Students: 143
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
50
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Score: 68.22
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,571
- Out-of-State:$7,571
- Net Price: $9,687
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 7,630
- Undergrad Students: 5,485
- Graduate Students: 2,145
- Grads Salary: $56,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
