2025 Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region
13
Colleges in the Plains States Region
1,125
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Ranked #27 in popularity,
criminal justice is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.
For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for criminal justice students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 1,125 degrees in criminal justice to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Criminal Justice School
The criminal justice program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Criminal Justice rankings. For our Best Overall Criminal Justice School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Criminal Justice Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to 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.
When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.
Best Schools for Criminal Justice in the Plains States Region
Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the criminal justice degree levels they offer.
10 Top Plains States Region Schools in Criminal Justice
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In MO
123
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
University of Central Missouri is a wonderful option for students interested in a degree in criminal justice. Located in the distant town of Warrensburg, UCM is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 21st out of 48 colleges for overall quality in the state of Missouri.
There were about 123 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at UCM in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from University of Central Missouri
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
4th
Most Popular In MO
91
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
It's difficult to beat Missouri Southern State University if you want to pursue a degree in criminal justice. Missouri Southern is a small public university located in the small city of Joplin. This university ranks 28th out of 48 colleges for overall quality in the state of Missouri.
There were roughly 91 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Missouri Southern in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Missouri Southern State University
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Criminal Justice - Criminology & Crime Analysis
Program Name
Track and understand criminal behavior by earning a BS in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Criminology & Crime Analysis.
More information about a degree in BS in Criminal Justice - Criminology & Crime Analysis from Southern New Hampshire University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In KS
Washburn University is a wonderful choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice. Washburn University is a medium-sized public university located in the midsize city of Topeka. A Best Colleges rank of #1163 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Washburn University is a great university overall.
There were about 26 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Washburn University in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Washburn University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In MO
166
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Columbia College is a good option for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice. Located in the midsize city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #634 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Columbia College Missouri is a great college overall.
There were roughly 166 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Missouri in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Columbia College
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In MO
167
Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
Park University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Parkville. A Best Colleges rank of #751 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Park University is a great university overall.
There were roughly 167 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Park University in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Park University
