2023 Best Criminal Justice Colleges for Veterans in Florida
24
Ranked Colleges
1,271
Degrees Awarded
$25,000
Avg Cost*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, veterans have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Criminal Justice is the 27th most popular major in the country with 32,891 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across Florida, there were 1,271 criminal justice graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice” ranking, we looked at 24 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.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the criminal justice program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran satisfaction. 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 Florida for Criminal Justice” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. 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 Florida for Criminal Justice
The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice”.
Top 24 Best Criminal Justice Colleges for Veterans in Florida
Out of the 24 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice that were part of this year’s ranking, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale landed the #1 spot on the list. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 165 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 20,330 students enrolled at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale, 75 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 56 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $17,004. During this same period, 21 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale offers credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale]](/colleges/keiser-university-ft-lauderdale/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hillsborough Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice list. HCC is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 123 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.
HCC also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 19,532 students enrolled at Hillsborough Community College, 2 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 3 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $332. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full HCC Veteran Student Life Report
Out of the 24 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice that were part of this year’s ranking, Valencia College landed the #3 spot on the list. Valencia College is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 172 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our florida vets studying criminal justice list, Valencia College has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 45,949 students enrolled at Valencia College, 1,809 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 965 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,696. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships 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 Valencia College]](/colleges/valencia-college/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 18 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
USF Tampa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 50,626 students enrolled at University of South Florida - Main Campus, 2,211 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1,241 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,943. During this same period, 13 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.
Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Veteran Student Life Report
Out of the 24 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida Atlantic University landed the #5 spot on the list. FAU is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
FAU 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 30,805 students enrolled at FAU, 708 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 397 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,153. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. FAU offers credit for military training for eligible students.
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%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at FAU]](/colleges/florida-atlantic-university/student-life/veterans/)
With a ranking of #6, Miami Dade College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice list. Miami Dade College is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 14 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at MDC, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 46,523 students enrolled at Miami Dade College, 907 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 607 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,371. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Miami Dade College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Read More…
Seminole State College of Florida did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking, coming in at #7. Seminole State College of Florida is located in Sanford, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.
Seminole State also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].According to our most recent data, Seminole State supports 16,298 students, and 737 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 369 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,468. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full Seminole State Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #8, Indian River State College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice list. Fort Pierce, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.
Indian River State College also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 15,236 students enrolled at Indian River State College, 539 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 315 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,800. To help with additional expenses, 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 Indian River State College Veteran Student Life Report
St Petersburg College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking. Clearwater, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SPC, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 1,273 of the 26,430 students enrolled at SPC were GI Bill® students, of which 820 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,870. 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.
Read More…
Palm Beach State College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking. Located in Lake Worth, Florida, this large public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.
Palm Beach State College also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Palm Beach State College supports 26,666 students, and 722 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 400 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,519. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships 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 Palm Beach State College]](/colleges/palm-beach-state-college/student-life/veterans/)
Santa Fe College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking. This fairly large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 2 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
Santa Fe College also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 12,607 students enrolled at Santa Fe College, 541 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 265 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,561. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Read More…
Eastern Florida State College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking. Located in Cocoa, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our florida vets studying criminal justice list, EFSC has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 995 of the 13,937 students enrolled at EFSC were GI Bill® students, of which 554 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,654. 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…
Polk State College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking, coming in at #13. Polk State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winter Haven, Florida. It awarded 39 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
Polk State also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 9,961 students enrolled at Polk State College, 337 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 168 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,652. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Polk State College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Polk State Veteran Student Life Report
Lynn University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking, coming in at #14. This small school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 40 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lynn University Fighting Knights, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 119 of the 3,232 students enrolled at Lynn University were GI Bill® students, of which 91 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $13,911. On top of their other funding sources, 32 students qualified for 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 Lynn University Veteran Student Life Report
Daytona State College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking. Daytona Beach, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Daytona State College, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 12,728 students enrolled at Daytona State College, 639 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 417 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,263. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Read More…
Florida State College at Jacksonville landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, this large public school awarded 47 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at FSCJ, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 22,344 students enrolled at Florida State College at Jacksonville, 2,072 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1,533 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,070. During this same period, 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 Florida State College at Jacksonville Veteran Student Life Report
Northwest Florida State College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice list. Located in Niceville, Florida, this small public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our florida vets studying criminal justice list, NWFSC has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 829 of the 5,004 students enrolled at Northwest Florida State College were GI Bill® students, of which 526 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,049. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Northwest Florida State College]](/colleges/northwest-florida-state-college/student-life/veterans/)
With a ranking of #18, Webber International University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice list. Located in Babson Park, Florida, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 37 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.
Webber International University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 32 of the 812 students enrolled at Webber International University were GI Bill® students, of which 9 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,178. 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…
Strayer University - Florida did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 23 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Strayer University - Florida, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 2,122 students enrolled at Strayer University - Florida, 26 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 25 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,172. 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…
Florida Gateway College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking. FGC is a small public school situated in Lake City, Florida. It awarded 9 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at FGC, 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, FGC supports 3,018 students, and 102 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 63 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,740. 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.
Full Florida Gateway College Veteran Student Life Report
Florida SouthWestern State College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice list. Florida SouthWestern State College is located in Fort Myers, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.
FSW not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 15,141 students enrolled at Florida SouthWestern State College, 427 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 252 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,770. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Florida SouthWestern State College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
Full FSW Veteran Student Life Report
Tallahassee Community College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking. Tallahassee Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 2 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
Tallahassee Community College also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 11,245 students enrolled at Tallahassee Community College, 401 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 164 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,567. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Tallahassee Community College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Tallahassee Community College Veteran Student Life Report
DeVry University - Florida came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking. Located in Miramar, Florida, this small private for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.
DeVry University - Florida also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 605 students enrolled at DeVry University - Florida, 19 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 18 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,574. 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 DeVry University - Florida Veteran Student Life Report
Florida Memorial University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Florida for Criminal Justice ranking, coming in at #24. This small school is located in Miami Gardens, Florida, and it awarded 22 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our florida vets studying criminal justice list, Florida Memorial University has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Florida Memorial University supports 928 students, and 31 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 5 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,345. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Florida Memorial University offers credit for military training for eligible students.
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Notes and References
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top schools only.
- **GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.