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2025 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

154 Colleges in the Southeast Region
12,702 Bachelor's Degrees
$37,735 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a bachelor's degree in criminal justice & corrections, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #7 most popular program in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 154 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the best for criminal justice & corrections students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 12,702 bachelor's degrees in criminal justice & corrections to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Criminal Justice & Corrections School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region The criminal justice bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:

Quality Overall Is Important

The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To take this into account we consider a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Average Earnings

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for criminal justice & corrections students working on their bachelor's degree.

More Ways to Rank Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Criminal Justice Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Criminal Justice & Corrections in the Southeast Region

The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice & corrections. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Southeast Region Schools for a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

1
362 Annual Graduates
$43,612 Median Starting Salary
$45,292 Median Student Debt

George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in criminal justice & corrections. Located in the large suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a very large student population.

Those criminal justice & corrections students who get their bachelor's degree from George Mason University receive $5,877 more than the typical criminal justice grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from George Mason University

2
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
554 Annual Graduates
$34,922 Median Starting Salary
$20,142 Median Student Debt

Florida State University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in criminal justice & corrections. Florida State is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the criminal justice program report average early career earnings of $34,922.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Florida State University

3

Any student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in criminal justice & corrections needs to check out American Public University System. American Military University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the fringe town of Charles Town.

Criminal Justice & Corrections bachelor's degree recipients from American Public University System receive an earnings boost of around $19,674 above the typical earnings of criminal justice & corrections graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from American Public University System

4
75 Annual Graduates
$40,390 Median Starting Salary
$19,480 Median Student Debt

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a wonderful decision for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the criminal justice & corrections degree program at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale earn $2,655 more than the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

5

Columbia Southern University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the town of Orange Beach.

Criminal Justice & Corrections bachelor's degree recipients from Columbia Southern University get an earnings boost of around $22,726 over the typical earnings of criminal justice & corrections graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Columbia Southern University

6
223 Annual Graduates
$35,781 Median Starting Salary
$31,348 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Columbia, UofSC is a public university with a fairly large student population.

After graduating, criminal justice bachelor's recipients usually earn an average of $35,781 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of South Carolina - Columbia

7
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
572 Annual Graduates
$48,855 Median Starting Salary
$38,000 Median Student Debt

Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Lynchburg.

Those criminal justice & corrections students who get their bachelor's degree from Liberty University earn $11,120 more than the standard criminal justice student.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Liberty University

8
236 Annual Graduates
$38,495 Median Starting Salary
$26,789 Median Student Debt

VCU is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Richmond.

After graduating, criminal justice bachelor's recipients typically make around $38,495 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Virginia Commonwealth University

9
St. Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL
225 Annual Graduates
$47,853 Median Starting Salary
$23,800 Median Student Debt

St. Leo University is a large private not-for-profit university located in the town of Saint Leo.

Criminal Justice & Corrections bachelor's degree recipients from Saint Leo University get an earnings boost of approximately $10,118 above the typical earnings of criminal justice & corrections graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Saint Leo University

10
492 Annual Graduates
$36,839 Median Starting Salary
$16,284 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Miami, FIU is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduating, criminal justice bachelor's recipients typically earn an average of $36,839 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Florida International University

11
125 Annual Graduates
$38,728 Median Starting Salary
$15,000 Median Student Debt

UofL is a very large public university located in the large city of Louisville.

After graduating, criminal justice bachelor's recipients typically make around $38,728 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of Louisville

12

Located in the suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public university with a very large student population.

Soon after graduating, criminal justice bachelor's recipients generally earn an average of $36,563 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of Central Florida

13
170 Annual Graduates
$31,548 Median Starting Salary
$22,034 Median Student Debt

Located in the distant town of Richmond, Eastern is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the criminal justice program report average early career earnings of $31,548.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Eastern Kentucky University

14
219 Annual Graduates
$36,155 Median Starting Salary
$15,716 Median Student Debt

UNC Charlotte is a very large public university located in the city of Charlotte.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the criminal justice program report average early career income of $36,155.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of North Carolina at Charlotte

15
105 Annual Graduates
$37,405 Median Starting Salary
$10,632 Median Student Debt

UGA is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Athens.

Soon after graduation, criminal justice bachelor's recipients typically earn around $37,405 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of Georgia

16
162 Annual Graduates
$36,374 Median Starting Salary
$21,620 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Greenville, ECU is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduation, criminal justice bachelor's recipients typically earn around $36,374 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from East Carolina University

17
52 Annual Graduates
$45,235 Median Starting Salary
$42,786 Median Student Debt

The Citadel is a small public college located in the midsize city of Charleston.

Criminal Justice & Corrections bachelor's degree recipients from Citadel Military College of South Carolina get an earnings boost of about $7,500 over the average earnings of criminal justice & corrections graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Citadel Military College of South Carolina

18
292 Annual Graduates
$35,647 Median Starting Salary
$15,151 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Boca Raton, FAU is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduating, criminal justice bachelor's recipients generally earn around $35,647 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Florida Atlantic University

19
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
116 Annual Graduates
$35,935 Median Starting Salary
$19,202 Median Student Debt

Located in the fringe town of Radford, Radford is a public university with a medium-sized student population.

Soon after graduating, criminal justice bachelor's recipients generally make around $35,935 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Radford University

20
143 Annual Graduates
$35,796 Median Starting Salary
$20,589 Median Student Debt

Appalachian State is a fairly large public university located in the distant town of Boone.

Soon after graduating, criminal justice bachelor's recipients generally earn around $35,796 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Appalachian State University

21

Located in the large suburb of Fort Myers, FGCU is a public university with a large student population.

Criminal Justice & Corrections bachelor's degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University earn a boost of about $2,344 above the average income of criminal justice & corrections graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Florida Gulf Coast University

22

Located in the large suburb of Clinton, MC is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the criminal justice program report average early career wages of $37,324.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Mississippi College

23

Located in the large suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Criminal Justice & Corrections bachelor's degree recipients from Indian River State College get an earnings boost of around $5,616 over the typical income of criminal justice & corrections graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Indian River State College

24

UNF is a large public university located in the city of Jacksonville.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the criminal justice program report average early career income of $36,684.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from University of North Florida

25
173 Annual Graduates
$39,566 Median Starting Salary
$27,907 Median Student Debt

KSU Georgia is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Kennesaw.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the criminal justice program make an average of $39,566 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in criminal justice & corrections from Kennesaw State University

Rest of the Top Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

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28
29
30
Marymount crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
31 Bethel University McKenzie, TN
32 The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN
33 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
34 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
35 Reinhardt University Waleska, GA
36 University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR
37 Columbia College Columbia, SC
38 University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC
39 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
40 University of Mississippi University, MS
41 Averett University Danville, VA
42 Harding University Searcy, AR
43 Rasmussen University - Florida Ocala, FL
44 ECPI University Virginia Beach, VA
45 Troy University Troy, AL
46 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
47 University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY
48 East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN
49 University of South Carolina - Upstate Spartanburg, SC
50 North Carolina Wesleyan College Rocky Mount, NC
51 Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC

Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges by State

Explore the best criminal justice & corrections colleges for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Florida 225 3,420
Georgia 224 1,380
Tennessee 220 893
North Carolina 213 1,831
Virginia 213 1,745
South Carolina 195 654
Kentucky 187 601
Alabama 184 924
Louisiana 171 511
Mississippi 169 370
Arkansas 167 423
West Virginia 147 904

View All Rankings >

One of 4 majors within the Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting area of study, Criminal Justice & Corrections has other similar majors worth exploring.

Criminal Justice Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Criminal Justice Studies 8,322
Criminal Justice 3,303
Criminal Justice & Police Science 615
Other Corrections & Criminal Justice 235
Criminal Justice and Corrections, General 116
Securities Services Administration/Management 102
Corrections 9

Majors Similar to Criminal Justice

Related Major Annual Graduates
Homeland Security 1,177
Security Science and Technology 1,043
Fire Protection 842
Other Homeland Security 482

Notes and References

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