2024 Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in California

We rigorously analyzed earnings after graduation, student loan debt, and a host of other variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Criminal Justice programs in California. We looked at 41 programs to put our Criminal Justice rankings together to help you find the absolute best schools for Criminal Justice in California. ... Read More

If you’re still wondering whether Criminal Justice is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Criminal Justice: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Criminal Justice in California. Earnings are by no means the most important mark of success for a Criminal Justice undergraduate program, but it is a variable that is widely used across universities and colleges in California. In addition to salary, we also provide average student loans metric and other admissions data points.

In addition, if you scroll all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Criminal Justice degree in California.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Criminal Justice Majors in California

What is the best university for majoring in Criminal Justice in California?

National University is the best university for majoring in Criminal Justice based on earnings data. On average, graduates from National University earned an average of $52,464 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Criminal Justice in California?

California State University-Dominguez Hills is the cheapest university for majoring in Criminal Justice based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $6,213 to attend California State University-Dominguez Hills.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Criminal Justice in California?

California Lutheran University (CLU) is the most expensive university for majoring in Criminal Justice based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $38,430 to attend California Lutheran University (CLU).

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#1 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $52,464
Average Debt $25,457
Program Size 193
National University
4 Year
La Jolla, CA
National University, located in La Jolla, CA has 193 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $52,464.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 5,223 students
Tuition $12,744
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#2 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,458
Average Debt $17,338
Program Size 491
California State University-East Bay
4 Year
Hayward, CA
California State University-East Bay, located in Hayward, CA has 491 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,458.
Acceptance Rate 74%
Undergraduates 4,631 students
Tuition $6,564
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#3 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $42,235
Average Debt $21,838
Program Size 73
California Lutheran University (CLU)
4 Year
Thousand Oaks, CA
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California Lutheran University (CLU), located in Thousand Oaks, CA has 73 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $42,235.
Acceptance Rate 62%
Undergraduates 1,282 students
Tuition $38,430
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#4 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $41,789
Average Debt $31,000
Program Size 125
California Baptist University (CBU)
4 Year
Riverside, CA
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California Baptist University (CBU), located in Riverside, CA has 125 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $41,789.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 2,348 students
Tuition $30,384
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#5 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $41,598
Average Debt $35,166
Program Size 1,306
Ashford University
4 Year
San Diego, CA
Ashford University, located in San Diego, CA has 1,306 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $41,598.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 11,023 students
Tuition $10,720
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#6 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $39,729
Average Debt $17,161
Program Size 181
Sonoma State University
4 Year
Rohnert Park, CA
Sonoma State University, located in Rohnert Park, CA has 181 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $39,729.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 2,461 students
Tuition $7,330
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#7 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,824
Average Debt $39,285
Program Size 668
University of Phoenix-California
4 Year
Costa Mesa, CA
University of Phoenix-California, located in Costa Mesa, CA has 668 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,824.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 4,165 students
Tuition $9,818
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#8 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,609
Average Debt $16,436
Program Size 423
San Francisco State University
4 Year
San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco State University, located in San Francisco, CA has 423 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,609.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 7,146 students
Tuition $6,476
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#9 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $38,195
Average Debt $16,783
Program Size 898
California State University-Sacramento
4 Year
Sacramento, CA
California State University-Sacramento, located in Sacramento, CA has 898 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $38,195.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 7,636 students
Tuition $6,872
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#10 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $37,748
Average Debt $16,472
Program Size 374
San Jose State University
4 Year
San Jose, CA
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San Jose State University, located in San Jose, CA has 374 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $37,748.
Acceptance Rate 55%
Undergraduates 9,128 students
Tuition $7,378
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#11 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $37,568
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 9
Santa Barbara Business College-Santa Maria
4 Year
Santa Maria, CA
Santa Barbara Business College-Santa Maria, located in Santa Maria, CA has 9 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $37,568.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 6 students
Tuition N/A
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#12 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $37,208
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 20
Santa Barbara Business College-Ventura
4 Year
Ventura, CA
Santa Barbara Business College-Ventura, located in Ventura, CA has 20 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $37,208.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 48 students
Tuition N/A
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#13 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $37,151
Average Debt $41,372
Program Size 92
DeVry University-California
4 Year
Pomona, CA
DeVry University-California, located in Pomona, CA has 92 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $37,151.
Acceptance Rate 88%
Undergraduates 1,325 students
Tuition $19,568
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#14 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $36,884
Average Debt $14,384
Program Size 321
California State University-Los Angeles
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
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California State University-Los Angeles, located in Los Angeles, CA has 321 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $36,884.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 6,512 students
Tuition $6,355
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#15 Best College for Criminal Justice
Average Salary $34,942
Average Debt $15,226
Program Size 354
California State University-Stanislaus
4 Year
Turlock, CA
California State University-Stanislaus, located in Turlock, CA has 354 students majoring in Criminal Justice. On average, graduates earn $34,942.
Acceptance Rate 71%
Undergraduates 2,334 students
Tuition $6,704
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