Best institutions to study Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
A program that focuses on the criminal justice system, its organizational components and processes, and its legal and public policy contexts.
824 U.S. institutions graduated 40,687 Criminal Justice/Safety Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0104, 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/Safety Studies programs
A program that focuses on the criminal justice system, its organizational components and processes, and its legal and public policy contexts. Includes instruction in criminal law and policy, police and correctional systems organization, the administration of justice and the judiciary, and public attitudes regarding criminal justice issues.
See also: 45.0401 - Criminology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Criminal Justice/Safety Studies program focuses on the intricacies of the criminal justice system, including its organizational components, processes, and the legal and public policy contexts that influence it. This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement, corrections, and related protective services, offering a comprehensive understanding of criminal law and policy.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers vital knowledge areas such as public safety, law and government, and administration, preparing graduates for various roles within the criminal justice field.
Credentials awarded
What Criminal Justice/Safety Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree26,579 graduates / yr · 482 institutions65%
- Associate's degree6,180 graduates / yr · 367 institutions15%
- Master's degree3,041 graduates / yr · 140 institutions7.5%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year2,680 graduates / yr · 123 institutions6.6%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1,053 graduates / yr · 59 institutions2.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate915 graduates / yr · 11 institutions2.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship217 graduates / yr · 23 institutions0.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks14 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years8 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 48,276 |
| 2013 | 48,506 |
| 2014 | 49,368 |
| 2015 | 48,951 |
| 2016 | 48,255 |
| 2017 | 47,525 |
| 2018 | 47,334 |
| 2019 | 45,712 |
| 2020 | 45,399 |
| 2021 | 45,914 |
| 2022 | 45,889 |
| 2023 | 43,215 |
| 2024 | 41,095 |
| 2025 | 40,687 |
Top 50 institutions for Criminal Justice/Safety Studies, 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 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralAssociate'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1,252 | 65% | $28,911 | $48,855 |
| 2 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 994 | 96% | — | — |
| 3 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate'sDoctoral | 812 | 55% | — | $37,792 |
| 4 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate's | 751 | 57% | $10,199 | $57,409 |
| 5 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sAssociate'sPost-degree cert. | 664 | 50% | — | $45,984 |
| 6 | Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 635 | 19% | $16,966 | $38,817 |
| 7 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 628 | 86% | — | $34,922 |
| 8 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor's | 547 | 76% | — | $33,261 |
| 9 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 526 | 78% | — | $36,563 |
| 10 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 473 | 56% | — | $38,606 |
| 11 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 441 | 74% | — | $36,839 |
| 12 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MDPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 432 | 33% | — | $55,479 |
| 13 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 415 | 40% | — | $34,299 |
| 14 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 357 | 53% | — | $32,974 |
| 15 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicBachelor's | 337 | 57% | — | $34,870 |
| 16 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FLPublicBachelor's | 324 | 63% | — | $35,647 |
| 17 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 324 | 32% | — | $35,569 |
| 18 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 302 | 69% | — | $34,247 |
| 19 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicBachelor's | 298 | 70% | — | $34,570 |
| 20 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 298 | 75% | — | $40,557 |
| 21 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 292 | 11% | $26,445 | $47,869 |
| 22 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 288 | 55% | — | $36,117 |
| 23 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 279 | 61% | — | $39,267 |
| 24 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 276 | 50% | — | $33,304 |
| 25 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 275 | 51% | — | $37,639 |
| 26 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 270 | 47% | — | $38,756 |
| 27 | University of Houston - Downtown Houston, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 261 | 33% | — | $42,122 |
| 28 | East Texas A&M University Commerce, TXPublicBachelor's | 221 | 43% | — | $34,075 |
| 29 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 218 | 69% | — | — |
| 30 | California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 217 | 55% | — | $35,029 |
| 31 | El Paso Community College El Paso, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 213 | 24% | — | $25,846 |
| 32 | Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster'sAssociate'sPost-degree cert.Award of less than 12 weeks | 211 | 45% | $18,986 | $47,853 |
| 33 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 211 | 53% | — | $35,740 |
| 34 | South Texas College McAllen, TXPublicAssociate's | 206 | 27% | — | $25,738 |
| 35 | Central Community College Grand Island, NEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 204 | 48% | — | — |
| 36 | Post University Waterbury, CTPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 199 | 25% | $14,659 | $49,449 |
| 37 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor's | 197 | 52% | — | $39,566 |
| 38 | Lamar University Beaumont, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 196 | 37% | — | $43,707 |
| 39 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 181 | 53% | — | $33,213 |
| 40 | University at Albany Albany, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 179 | 61% | — | — |
| 41 | Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 177 | 47% | — | — |
| 42 | City Colleges of Chicago - Olive - Harvey College Chicago, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 176 | 21% | — | — |
| 43 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor's | 176 | 84% | — | $34,611 |
| 44 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 176 | 54% | — | $40,577 |
| 45 | California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CAPublicBachelor's | 171 | 43% | — | $36,092 |
| 46 | California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 170 | 53% | — | $34,806 |
| 47 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicBachelor's | 170 | 50% | — | $42,211 |
| 48 | Rutgers University - Newark Newark, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 168 | 64% | — | $34,611 |
| 49 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 167 | 69% | — | $36,155 |
| 50 | Grambling State University Grambling, LAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 165 | 36% | — | $23,046 |
* 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 53 states & territories
Where Criminal Justice/Safety Studies 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/Safety Studies program can pursue careers such as First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives. The job outlook is about as fast as average, 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 a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 43.0104
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 |
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other SOC 19-4099 | $62,280 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~10,600 | Associate's degree |
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers SOC 33-1011 | $77,970 | -2.8% Decline | ~4,300 | 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 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/Safety Studies 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 43.0103
Law Enforcement Administration 26,068 graduates / yr650 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, Master's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, along with knowledge in public safety and law.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives, among other roles in the criminal justice field.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.9% and approximately 10,900 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Criminal Justice/Safety Studies?+
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies is CIP 43.0104 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 focuses on the criminal justice system, its organizational components and processes, and its legal and public policy contexts. Includes instruction in criminal law and policy, police and correctional systems organization, the administration of justice and the judiciary, and public attitudes regarding criminal justice issues.
How many institutions offer Criminal Justice/Safety Studies programs?+
824 U.S. institutions reported Criminal Justice/Safety Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 53 states & territories, awarding 40,687 credentials in the year. That is 41.0% of all Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.
How much do Criminal Justice/Safety Studies 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/Safety Studies 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 $37,775 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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