2023 Best Criminal Justice Colleges for Veterans in California
27
Ranked Colleges
8,527
Degrees Awarded
$36,300
Avg Cost*
Veterans have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
Criminal Justice is the 27th most popular major in the country with 32,891 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across California, there were 8,527 criminal justice graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice” ranking, we looked at 27 colleges that offer a degree in criminal justice. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great criminal justice programs and a strong support system for veterans and active service members.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the criminal justice program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran population. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Criminal Justice Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice
The colleges and universities below are the best for california vets studying criminal justice.
Top 25 Best Criminal Justice Colleges for Veterans in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend National University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice list. Located in La Jolla, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 156 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at National University, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, National University supports 18,070 students, and 1 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 0 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $0. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at National University]](/colleges/national-university/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of San Diego. The school came in at #2 for the Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice. USD is located in San Diego, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 131 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.
USD also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 8,861 students enrolled at University of San Diego, 44 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 28 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $22,598. In addition to receiving other benefits, 17 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full University of San Diego Veteran Student Life Report
Out of the 27 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwestern College landed the #3 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Chula Vista, California, and it awarded 184 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
SWC Chula Vista also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].According to our most recent data, Southwestern College supports 17,621 students, and 941 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 562 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $427. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full SWC Chula Vista Veteran Student Life Report
Out of the 27 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Phoenix - California landed the #4 spot on the list. Costa Mesa, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 77 students in 2020-2021.
UOPX - California did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 3,179 students enrolled at University of Phoenix - California, 37 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 40 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,279. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full University of Phoenix - California Veteran Student Life Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Baptist University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice list. Located in Riverside, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 54 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.
Cal Baptist also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 532 of the 11,317 students enrolled at California Baptist University were GI Bill® students, of which 390 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $15,716. During this same period, 162 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal Baptist Veteran Student Life Report
Golden West College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice list. Huntington Beach, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 159 students in 2020-2021.
Golden West College also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Golden West College supports 11,396 students, and 160 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 126 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $442. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Golden West College]](/colleges/golden-west-college/student-life/veterans/)
Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Santa Rosa, California, this fairly large public school handed out 73 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.
SRJC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 289 of the 16,757 students enrolled at Santa Rosa Junior College were GI Bill® students, of which 223 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $578. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full SRJC Veteran Student Life Report
Napa Valley College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice list. This small school is located in Napa, California, and it awarded 62 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california vets studying criminal justice list, Napa Valley College has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 4,931 students enrolled at Napa Valley College, 93 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 61 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $877. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Napa Valley College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Napa Valley College]](/colleges/napa-valley-college/student-life/veterans/)
With a ranking of #9, Fresno City College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice list. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 151 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno City College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 22,278 students enrolled at Fresno City College, 370 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 210 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $329. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Fresno City College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Fresno City College Veteran Student Life Report
San Diego Miramar College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 123 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california vets studying criminal justice list, San Diego Miramar College has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 13,408 students enrolled at San Diego Miramar College, 661 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 483 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $405. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. San Diego Miramar College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at San Diego Miramar College]](/colleges/san-diego-miramar-college/student-life/veterans/)
College of the Sequoias came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice ranking. Visalia, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 122 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at College of the Sequoias, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 12,571 students enrolled at College of the Sequoias, 201 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 120 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $336. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. College of the Sequoias does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full College of the Sequoias Veteran Student Life Report
Ventura College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice ranking. Ventura College is located in Ventura, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 170 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.
Ventura College also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 275 of the 11,789 students enrolled at Ventura College were GI Bill® students, of which 213 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $458. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Ventura College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
Read More…
West Hills College-Lemoore ranked #13 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice list. West Hills College-Lemoore is a small school located in Lemoore, California that handed out 56 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at West Hills College-Lemoore, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 3,932 students enrolled at West Hills College-Lemoore, 86 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 47 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $606. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. West Hills College-Lemoore offers credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at West Hills College-Lemoore]](/colleges/west-hills-college-lemoore/student-life/veterans/)
Santa Ana College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice ranking. SAC is a public institution located in Santa Ana, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 80 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SAC, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 20,118 students enrolled at SAC, 283 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 222 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $355. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full SAC Veteran Student Life Report
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice ranking. San Joaquin Delta College is located in Stockton, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 103 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.
Delta also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 18,224 students enrolled at San Joaquin Delta College, 151 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 43 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $812. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. San Joaquin Delta College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
Read More…
With a ranking of #16, Mt. San Antonio College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice list. This large school is located in Walnut, California, and it awarded 112 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
Mt. SAC also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 28,393 students enrolled at Mt. SAC, 581 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 435 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $276. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full Mt. SAC Veteran Student Life Report
Fresno Pacific University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice list. Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno Pacific did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 147 of the 3,995 students enrolled at Fresno Pacific University were GI Bill® students, of which 62 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,982. To help with additional expenses, 2 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Fresno Pacific University offers credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Fresno Pacific University]](/colleges/fresno-pacific-university/student-life/veterans/)
With a ranking of #18, East Los Angeles College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice list. Located in Monterey Park, California, this large public school awarded 489 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at East Los Angeles College, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 33,397 students enrolled at East Los Angeles College, 198 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 139 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $377. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Full East Los Angeles College Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #19, Sacramento City College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 132 students in 2020-2021.
Sacramento City did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 421 of the 20,027 students enrolled at Sacramento City College were GI Bill® students, of which 270 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $365. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full Sacramento City Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #20, Moreno Valley College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice list. Moreno Valley College is a public institution located in Moreno Valley, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 82 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Moreno Valley College also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 9,158 students enrolled at Moreno Valley College, 171 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 111 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $375. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read More…
El Camino College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice ranking. El Camino College is located in Torrance, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 112 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.
El Camino College also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 282 of the 20,418 students enrolled at El Camino College were GI Bill® students, of which 175 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $432. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Full El Camino College Veteran Student Life Report
Reedley College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice ranking. Reedley College is a public institution located in Reedley, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 76 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Reedley College also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 111 of the 6,796 students enrolled at Reedley College were GI Bill® students, of which 58 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,918. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Reedley College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Reedley College Veteran Student Life Report
Riverside City College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice ranking. Riverside City College is located in Riverside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 142 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.
Riverside City College also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Riverside City College supports 20,080 students, and 327 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 195 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $295. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Read More…
Antelope Valley College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice ranking. Located in Lancaster, California, this fairly large public school handed out 140 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.
Antelope Valley College also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 232 of the 12,057 students enrolled at Antelope Valley College were GI Bill® students, of which 116 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $315. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Full Antelope Valley College Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #25, College of the Desert did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in California for Criminal Justice list. College of the Desert is a fairly large public school situated in Palm Desert, California. It awarded 94 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
College of the Desert also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, College of the Desert supports 10,932 students, and 203 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 128 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $436. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Full College of the Desert Veteran Student Life Report
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