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Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in Missouri

The best colleges for a Criminal Justice degree in Missouri, led by Saint Louis University, Missouri Southern State University and Rockhurst University. Each school is shown with its acceptance rate, tuition, and average SAT so you can weigh Criminal Justice programs side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best college for Criminal Justice in Missouri?

Based on our rankings, Saint Louis University is the top-ranked college for Criminal Justice in Missouri. Other top choices include Missouri Southern State University, Rockhurst University, Lindenwood University.

What are the best Criminal Justice schools?

The best Criminal Justice schools, based on program-specific federal data including median earnings and graduate counts, are Saint Louis University, Missouri Southern State University, Rockhurst University. Our rankings use College Scorecard field-of-study data rather than editorial opinion.

How much does it cost to study Criminal Justice?

The average out-of-state tuition among top Criminal Justice programs is approximately $26,751 per year. However, costs vary significantly — many schools offer generous financial aid packages that can reduce the effective cost.

How long does it take to get a Criminal Justice degree?

A bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice typically takes four years of full-time study. Some programs offer accelerated tracks or combined bachelor's-to-master's options that can extend or shorten the timeline.

How are these Criminal Justice rankings determined?

Our major rankings are independently calculated from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study (CIP) data — primarily median earnings 4 years after graduation and program scale (graduate count), with a 10+ annual graduates minimum per program. They are not derived from US News or any other publication.

Career outcomes for Criminal Justice graduates

Among the top 10 ranked Criminal Justice programs, the average early-career salary is approximately $52,389 per year. Below are the highest-paying Criminal Justice programs based on federal College Scorecard earnings data reported by graduates four years after completion.

  1. 1. Saint Louis University — Saint Louis, MO · 75% acceptance · SAT 1,317 · $55,760 tuition · 80% grad rate
  2. 2. Missouri Southern State University — Joplin, MO · 97% acceptance · SAT 1,065 · $17,080 tuition · 42% grad rate
  3. 3. Rockhurst University — Kansas City, MO · 69.6% acceptance · SAT 1,120 · $44,966 tuition · 75% grad rate
  4. 4. Lindenwood University — Saint Charles, MO · 56.8% acceptance · SAT 1,190 · $21,600 tuition · 49% grad rate
  5. 5. Truman State University — Kirksville, MO · 83.8% acceptance · SAT 1,320 · $18,566 tuition · 69% grad rate
  6. 6. Missouri State University-Springfield — Springfield, MO · 90.5% acceptance · SAT 1,122 · $18,770 tuition · 58% grad rate
  7. 7. William Woods University — Fulton, MO · 71% acceptance · $30,340 tuition · 47% grad rate
  8. 8. Missouri Baptist University — Saint Louis, MO · 68.6% acceptance · SAT 910 · $34,612 tuition · 48% grad rate
  9. 9. Columbia College — Columbia, MO · $25,826 tuition · 42% grad rate
  10. 10. University of Central Missouri — Warrensburg, MO · 63.8% acceptance · SAT 1,050 · $18,600 tuition · 54% grad rate
  11. 11. Southeast Missouri State University — Cape Girardeau, MO · 73.5% acceptance · SAT 950 · $9,903 tuition · 58% grad rate
  12. 12. Culver-Stockton College — Canton, MO · 99.1% acceptance · $30,875 tuition · 45% grad rate
  13. 13. Missouri Western State University — Saint Joseph, MO · $20,866 tuition · 39% grad rate

Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in Missouri on PickACampus