Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees 2025

Badge for BEST FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski

Published: Nov 5, 2021
Updated: Nov 4, 2024

The best criminal justice research universities are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best criminal justice degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding criminal justice faculty.

Key Takeaways

The top research universities for criminal justice degrees feature cutting-edge labs, data analysis centers, and crime scene investigation facilities, providing students with hands-on opportunities to engage in advanced research and develop practical skills.
The universities in our ranking host specialized research centers focused on areas such as criminology, forensic psychology, and criminal behavior, allowing students to collaborate on impactful projects and connect with leading experts in the field.
The leading programs in criminal justice emphasize internships, fieldwork, and connections with local, state, and federal agencies, giving students valuable industry insights and a strong professional network to support their career growth in criminal justice.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Research Universities Criminal Justice Programs in 2025

University of Washington
+1
Boston University
+1
George Washington University
+3
University of Maryland, College Park
+4
University of Arizona
+18
University of Florida
–5
Howard University
+11
University of Georgia
–1
Florida State University
–5
George Mason University
+4

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the best research universities for criminal justice degrees saw a considerable amount of movement. The University of Arizona gained the most ranking positions as the university is enhancing its Criminal Justice Studies program by introducing specialized courses in emerging areas such as cybercrime, restorative justice, and transnational crime, reflecting the evolving landscape of criminal justice. The program is also expanding its experiential learning opportunities, including partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, providing students with hands-on experience and professional networking.

Additionally, the university is investing in advanced research facilities and technology, such as crime analysis software and virtual simulation tools, to equip students with practical skills relevant to modern criminal justice careers.

A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is an excellent starting point for a career in policing, corrections, homeland security, and a host of other important roles related to crime, justice, and public safety. As a criminal justice major, you’ll study three primary subject areas—law enforcement, corrections, and the courts. Majoring in criminal justice is a good starting point if you plan to study policing, law, administration of justice, counter-terrorism, and more. You’ll study related subjects including criminal psychology, rehabilitation, and sociology. And if you’re interested in eventually going to law school and becoming a practicing attorney, majoring in criminal justice could be a good starting point. A degree in criminal justice will give you the knowledge and qualifications to contribute to public safety, national security, social justice, and a host of other related fields.

Degree popularity: Criminal justice bachelor’s degrees are the 16th most popular undergraduate degrees across all student demographics. It is slightly more popular among men. Crimianl justice degrees rank 6th among Black men, 8th for Black women, 8th among Hispanic men, and 15th for Hispanic women, according to the number of degree earners reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics.

If you think a liberal arts college may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best liberal arts colleges for a bachelor’s in computer-science.

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