Best institutions to study Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
A program that prepares individuals to apply theories and practices of organization management and criminal justice to the administration of public law enforcement agencies and operations.
650 U.S. institutions graduated 26,068 Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0103, a specialization of Criminal Justice and Corrections (CIP 43.01), and leads most directly to the First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives occupation (BLS SOC 33-1012).
About Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply theories and practices of organization management and criminal justice to the administration of public law enforcement agencies and operations. Includes instruction in law enforcement history and theory, operational command leadership, administration of public police organizations, labor relations, incident response strategies, legal and regulatory responsibilities, budgeting, public relations, and organizational leadership.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration program prepares students for careers in the management and administration of public law enforcement agencies. It is designed for individuals interested in applying organizational management theories and criminal justice practices to enhance law enforcement operations. This program is ideal for those looking to take on leadership roles within the field of criminal justice and corrections.
Learn more about Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration →
Students in this program will gain essential skills in areas such as public safety, law and government, administration, and management. Coursework typically includes instruction in operational command leadership, incident response strategies, legal responsibilities, and public relations, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to excel in law enforcement management.
Credentials awarded
What Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree11,567 graduates / yr · 290 institutions44%
- Associate's degree8,530 graduates / yr · 311 institutions33%
- Master's degree2,470 graduates / yr · 130 institutions9.5%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year2,378 graduates / yr · 129 institutions9.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years461 graduates / yr · 43 institutions1.8%
- Award of less than 12 weeks365 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate135 graduates / yr · 20 institutions0.5%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship123 graduates / yr · 9 institutions0.5%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years38 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 32,419 |
| 2013 | 34,747 |
| 2014 | 33,319 |
| 2015 | 32,388 |
| 2016 | 30,928 |
| 2017 | 29,359 |
| 2018 | 28,370 |
| 2019 | 27,832 |
| 2020 | 33,296 |
| 2021 | 32,616 |
| 2022 | 31,498 |
| 2023 | 27,703 |
| 2024 | 26,748 |
| 2025 | 26,068 |
Top 50 institutions for Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 1,201 | 56% | — | $37,284 |
| 2 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 839 | 21% | $15,478 | $47,987 |
| 3 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 480 | 51% | — | $32,899 |
| 4 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sBachelor's | 467 | 45% | — | $44,051 |
| 5 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 398 | 37% | — | — |
| 6 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 374 | 37% | — | $111,649 |
| 7 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, ALPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 363 | 33% | $15,554 | $60,461 |
| 8 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 361 | 0% | — | $42,187 |
| 9 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 287 | 68% | — | $42,187 |
| 10 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 271 | 65% | — | $41,938 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 250 | 86% | — | $37,240 |
| 12 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.DoctoralAssociate's | 247 | 63% | $32,614 | $36,455 |
| 13 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 237 | — | — | $50,634 |
| 14 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 227 | 81% | — | $40,390 |
| 15 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 220 | 61% | — | $38,728 |
| 16 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 220 | 79% | — | $35,781 |
| 17 | Western Illinois University Macomb, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 188 | 45% | — | $40,898 |
| 18 | NUC University Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 188 | 54% | $9,377 | $22,882 |
| 19 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 186 | 43% | $31,817 | $64,143 |
| 20 | Triton College River Grove, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 186 | 29% | — | — |
| 21 | Imperial Valley College Imperial, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 173 | 45% | — | $27,313 |
| 22 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAssociate's | 165 | 21% | — | — |
| 23 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sMaster'sDoctoral | 165 | 61% | $35,483 | $40,390 |
| 24 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 160 | 72% | — | $31,875 |
| 25 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 156 | 30% | — | — |
| 26 | Antelope Valley Community College District Lancaster, CAPublicAssociate's | 153 | 34% | — | $28,211 |
| 27 | Citrus College Glendora, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 153 | 41% | — | — |
| 28 | Kean University Union, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 153 | 47% | — | $39,408 |
| 29 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 151 | 63% | — | $38,495 |
| 30 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 149 | 61% | — | — |
| 31 | Rio Hondo College Whittier, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 146 | 25% | — | — |
| 32 | Ventura College Ventura, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 140 | 38% | — | — |
| 33 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate's | 139 | 66% | $27,359 | $34,686 |
| 34 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 136 | 50% | — | $31,548 |
| 35 | Golden West College Huntington Beach, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 135 | 49% | — | — |
| 36 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicMaster's | 135 | 96% | — | — |
| 37 | CUNY Kingsborough Community College Brooklyn, NYPublicAssociate's | 134 | 28% | — | $29,606 |
| 38 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 133 | 47% | — | $42,199 |
| 39 | CUNY LaGuardia Community College Long Island City, NYPublicAssociate's | 133 | 24% | — | $25,515 |
| 40 | Fresno City College Fresno, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 130 | 24% | — | $29,467 |
| 41 | Southwestern College Chula Vista, CAPublicAssociate's | 129 | 35% | — | $30,983 |
| 42 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 123 | 39% | — | $34,607 |
| 43 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZPublicBachelor's | 123 | 11% | $26,445 | $47,869 |
| 44 | Monroe University Bronx, NYPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 122 | 57% | $12,028 | $24,567 |
| 45 | University of San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 121 | 84% | $26,035 | — |
| 46 | Fullerton College Fullerton, CAPublicAssociate's | 120 | 34% | — | — |
| 47 | Sierra College Rocklin, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 114 | 42% | — | — |
| 48 | Riverside City College Riverside, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 113 | 37% | — | $25,824 |
| 49 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 109 | 67% | — | $39,857 |
| 50 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 109 | 54% | — | $37,221 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Criminal Justice and Corrections field (CIP 43.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 54 states & territories
Where Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration graduates come from. Each state links to all Criminal Justice and Corrections programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 33-1012, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration program can pursue various careers, including roles as First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 2.9% and approximately 10,900 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $105,980, typically requiring at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 43.0103
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectivesprimary SOC 33-1012 | $106,040 | +2.9% About as fast as average | ~10,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1111 | $76,590 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~1,200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Supervise and coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offering guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensuring that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.
- Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
- Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
- Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
- Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
- Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
Tools and technology used
Other Criminal Justice and Corrections specializations
The 16 other 6-digit CIP codes under Criminal Justice and Corrections (CIP 43.01).
- Criminal Justice/CIP 43.0104
Safety Studies 40,687 graduates / yr824 institutions - Criminal Justice/CIP 43.0107
Police Science 19,975 graduates / yr540 institutions - Corrections and Criminal JusticeCIP 43.01994,734 graduates / yr94 institutions
- CorrectionsCIP 43.01023,804 graduates / yr147 institutions
- Criminal Justice and CorrectionsCIP 43.01002,344 graduates / yr75 institutions
- Securities Services Administration/CIP 43.0112
Management 678 graduates / yr28 institutions - Security and Loss Prevention ServicesCIP 43.0109497 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Law Enforcement Investigation and InterviewingCIP 43.0114310 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Corrections AdministrationCIP 43.0113partial data84 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Juvenile CorrectionsCIP 43.011056 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Protective Services OperationsCIP 43.0120partial data42 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Critical Incident Response/CIP 43.0119
Special Police Operations limited data29 graduates / yr2 institutions
Show 4 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Law Enforcement Record-Keeping and Evidence Management43.0115
- Suspension and Debarment Investigation43.0121
- Maritime Law Enforcement43.0122
- Cultural/
Archaelogical Resources Protection43.0123
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or a Master's degree, along with shorter awards.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What are the job prospects after graduation?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with many opportunities in law enforcement management.
How many colleges offer this program?+
Approximately 650 colleges in the U.S. offer the Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration program.
What is the CIP code for Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration?+
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration is CIP 43.0103 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Criminal Justice and Corrections (CIP 43.01). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply theories and practices of organization management and criminal justice to the administration of public law enforcement agencies and operations. Includes instruction in law enforcement history and theory, operational command leadership, administration of public police organizations, labor relations, incident response strategies, legal and regulatory responsibilities, budgeting, public relations, and organizational leadership.
How many institutions offer Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration programs?+
650 U.S. institutions reported Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 54 states & territories, awarding 26,068 credentials in the year. That is 26.2% of all Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.
How much do Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives occupation, which Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration most directly leads to, pays a median of $106,040 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Criminal Justice and Corrections field report median earnings of $37,713 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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