Best institutions to study Criminal Justice/Police Science
A program that prepares individuals to perform the duties of police and public security officers, including patrol and investigative activities, traffic control, crowd control and public relations, witness interviewing, evidence collection and management, basic crime prevention methods, weapon and equipment operation and maintenance, report preparation and other routine law enforcement responsibilities.
540 U.S. institutions graduated 19,975 Criminal Justice/Police Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0107, a specialization of Criminal Justice and Corrections (CIP 43.01), and leads most directly to the Detectives and Criminal Investigators occupation (BLS SOC 33-3021).
About Criminal Justice/Police Science programs
A program that prepares individuals to perform the duties of police and public security officers, including patrol and investigative activities, traffic control, crowd control and public relations, witness interviewing, evidence collection and management, basic crime prevention methods, weapon and equipment operation and maintenance, report preparation and other routine law enforcement responsibilities.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Criminal Justice/Police Science program, part of the broader Criminal Justice and Corrections field, prepares individuals for various roles within law enforcement and public security. This program encompasses essential duties such as patrol, investigative activities, traffic control, and crowd management, making it ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice.
Students in this program gain valuable skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers knowledge areas such as law and government, public safety, and psychology, equipping graduates with the tools necessary for successful careers in law enforcement and related fields.
Credentials awarded
What Criminal Justice/Police Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year9,340 graduates / yr · 244 institutions47%
- Associate's degree4,742 graduates / yr · 290 institutions24%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years3,688 graduates / yr · 128 institutions19%
- Bachelor's degree1,902 graduates / yr · 59 institutions9.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks106 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.5%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate102 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.5%
- Master's degree85 graduates / yr · 6 institutions0.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Criminal Justice/Police Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 26,952 |
| 2013 | 31,519 |
| 2014 | 32,987 |
| 2015 | 32,465 |
| 2016 | 34,759 |
| 2017 | 35,512 |
| 2018 | 31,881 |
| 2019 | 33,112 |
| 2020 | 23,156 |
| 2021 | 22,672 |
| 2022 | 20,826 |
| 2023 | 19,981 |
| 2024 | 20,412 |
| 2025 | 19,975 |
Top 50 institutions for Criminal Justice/Police Science, 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 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 519 | 37% | — | — |
| 2 | Rio Salado College Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 501 | 9% | — | $51,384 |
| 3 | Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 399 | 31% | — | — |
| 4 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicBachelor's | 316 | 68% | — | $43,612 |
| 5 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 273 | 43% | $21,535 | $41,180 |
| 6 | San Bernardino Valley College San Bernardino, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 273 | 28% | — | $94,285 |
| 7 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 253 | 36% | — | — |
| 8 | Rio Hondo College Whittier, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 247 | 25% | — | — |
| 9 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NYPublicAssociate's | 232 | 25% | — | $25,302 |
| 10 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 224 | 41% | — | $29,888 |
| 11 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, ALPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 219 | 33% | $15,554 | $60,461 |
| 12 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 217 | 42% | — | $56,699 |
| 13 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 209 | 17% | — | $56,454 |
| 14 | Walters State Community College Morristown, TNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 208 | 33% | — | $44,624 |
| 15 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 207 | 67% | — | $33,254 |
| 16 | Fresno City College Fresno, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 194 | 24% | — | $29,467 |
| 17 | Texas A & M International University Laredo, TXPublicBachelor's | 186 | 46% | — | $30,739 |
| 18 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 180 | 39% | — | $34,607 |
| 19 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 168 | 24% | — | $31,345 |
| 20 | Valencia College Orlando, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 165 | 48% | — | $33,246 |
| 21 | Moreno Valley College Moreno Valley, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 163 | 34% | — | $81,339 |
| 22 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 159 | 47% | — | $44,897 |
| 23 | Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 156 | 19% | — | $70,610 |
| 24 | Wor - Wic Community College Salisbury, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 155 | 27% | — | $53,813 |
| 25 | Butte College Oroville, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 150 | 45% | — | $73,170 |
| 26 | Fort Myers Technical College Fort Myers, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 146 | 81% | — | $58,949 |
| 27 | Polk State College Winter Haven, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 146 | 35% | — | $53,333 |
| 28 | Alexandria Technical & Community College Alexandria, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 144 | 60% | — | $54,355 |
| 29 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 140 | 30% | — | — |
| 30 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 129 | 46% | — | $34,209 |
| 31 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 126 | 65% | — | $39,571 |
| 32 | Lake Technical College Eustis, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 121 | 47% | — | $45,472 |
| 33 | Tallahassee State College Tallahassee, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 120 | 38% | — | $43,235 |
| 34 | Odessa College Odessa, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 115 | 37% | — | — |
| 35 | Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 114 | 41% | — | $36,589 |
| 36 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 108 | 28% | — | $42,096 |
| 37 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 108 | 37% | — | $111,649 |
| 38 | Oakland Community College Auburn Hills, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 106 | 21% | — | $51,827 |
| 39 | Ventura College Ventura, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 105 | 38% | — | — |
| 40 | Monroe University Bronx, NYPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 105 | 57% | $12,028 | $24,567 |
| 41 | Georgia Piedmont Technical College Clarkston, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 105 | 44% | — | — |
| 42 | Camden County College Blackwood, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 104 | 31% | — | $59,298 |
| 43 | Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 103 | 45% | — | $43,351 |
| 44 | Eastern Florida State College Melbourne, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 102 | 52% | — | $51,461 |
| 45 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 102 | 34% | — | $32,315 |
| 46 | San Antonio College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 100 | 26% | — | $52,557 |
| 47 | College of Central Florida Ocala, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 98 | 44% | — | — |
| 48 | Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 98 | 41% | — | $69,415 |
| 49 | Texas Southmost College Brownsville, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 97 | 30% | — | $25,923 |
| 50 | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, COPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 96 | 32% | — | $72,583 |
* 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 50 states & territories
Where Criminal Justice/Police Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Criminal Justice and Corrections programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 33-3021, Detectives and Criminal Investigators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Criminal Justice/Police Science program can pursue careers as Detectives and Criminal Investigators, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, and more. The job outlook indicates little to no change in employment opportunities, with approximately 7,800 annual openings and a median wage of $93,580. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 43.0107
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Detectives and Criminal Investigatorsprimary SOC 33-3021 | $93,790 | -0.7% Little or no change | ~7,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers SOC 33-3051 | $76,210 | +3.1% About as fast as average | ~53,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Private Detectives and Investigators SOC 33-9021 | $51,220 | +6.0% Faster than average | ~3,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Bailiffs SOC 33-3011 | $56,600 | -2.2% Decline | ~1,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
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 Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Criminal Justice/Police Science 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
- Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
- Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
- Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
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 43.0103
Law Enforcement Administration 26,068 graduates / yr650 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 types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, an Associate's degree, or an Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 540 colleges offering the Criminal Justice/Police Science program across the United States.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills such as active listening, critical thinking, writing, and monitoring.
What is the typical career path after graduation?+
Graduates often become Detectives, Police Officers, or work in related law enforcement roles.
What is the CIP code for Criminal Justice/Police Science?+
Criminal Justice/Police Science is CIP 43.0107 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 perform the duties of police and public security officers, including patrol and investigative activities, traffic control, crowd control and public relations, witness interviewing, evidence collection and management, basic crime prevention methods, weapon and equipment operation and maintenance, report preparation and other routine law enforcement responsibilities.
How many institutions offer Criminal Justice/Police Science programs?+
540 U.S. institutions reported Criminal Justice/Police Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 50 states & territories, awarding 19,975 credentials in the year. That is 20.1% of all Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.
How much do Criminal Justice/Police Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Detectives and Criminal Investigators occupation, which Criminal Justice/Police Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $93,790 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Criminal Justice and Corrections field report median earnings of $41,230 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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