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Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in North Carolina

The best colleges for a Criminal Justice degree in North Carolina, led by University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Appalachian State University and High Point 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 North Carolina?

Based on our rankings, University of North Carolina at Charlotte is the top-ranked college for Criminal Justice in North Carolina. Other top choices include Appalachian State University, High Point University, North Carolina Central 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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Appalachian State University, High Point 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 $26,744 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 $50,811 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. University of North Carolina at Charlotte — Charlotte, NC · 79.6% acceptance · SAT 1,231 · $22,492 tuition · 69% grad rate
  2. 2. Appalachian State University — Boone, NC · 90.1% acceptance · SAT 1,214 · $25,212 tuition · 75% grad rate
  3. 3. High Point University — High Point, NC · 75.3% acceptance · SAT 1,288 · $45,312 tuition · 74% grad rate
  4. 4. North Carolina Central University — Durham, NC · 87% acceptance · SAT 1,050 · $19,735 tuition · 42% grad rate
  5. 5. East Carolina University — Greenville, NC · 89.2% acceptance · SAT 1,180 · $23,638 tuition · 63% grad rate
  6. 6. Winston-Salem State University — Winston-Salem, NC · 78.3% acceptance · SAT 945 · $16,782 tuition · 47% grad rate
  7. 7. Western Carolina University — Cullowhee, NC · 81.8% acceptance · SAT 1,157 · $8,630 tuition · 60% grad rate
  8. 8. Guilford College — Greensboro, NC · 80% acceptance · SAT 1,105 · $41,362 tuition · 46% grad rate
  9. 9. North Carolina A & T State University — Greensboro, NC · 49.9% acceptance · SAT 1,074 · $20,673 tuition · 57% grad rate
  10. 10. Wingate University — Wingate, NC · 91.1% acceptance · SAT 1,111 · $41,636 tuition · 46% grad rate
  11. 11. Gardner-Webb University — Boiling Springs, NC · 77.2% acceptance · SAT 1,113 · $34,760 tuition · 55% grad rate
  12. 12. Brevard College — Brevard, NC · 42.2% acceptance · SAT 1,060 · $32,280 tuition · 49% grad rate
  13. 13. Elizabeth City State University — Elizabeth City, NC · 64.2% acceptance · SAT 1,019 · $10,536 tuition · 44% grad rate
  14. 14. Methodist University — Fayetteville, NC · 75.1% acceptance · SAT 1,182 · $41,250 tuition · 44% grad rate
  15. 15. Lenoir-Rhyne University — Hickory, NC · 84.6% acceptance · $31,900 tuition · 48% grad rate
  16. 16. Greensboro College — Greensboro, NC · 70.1% acceptance · $21,000 tuition · 46% grad rate
  17. 17. Lees-McRae College — Banner Elk, NC · 76.8% acceptance · $33,250 tuition · 42% grad rate
  18. 18. Barton College — Wilson, NC · 94.2% acceptance · $37,250 tuition · 46% grad rate
  19. 19. Mars Hill University — Mars Hill, NC · 67.9% acceptance · $37,736 tuition · 45% grad rate
  20. 20. University of North Carolina at Pembroke — Pembroke, NC · 93.3% acceptance · SAT 1,056 · $7,648 tuition · 44% grad rate
  21. 21. Belmont Abbey College — Belmont, NC · 74.7% acceptance · SAT 1,099 · $19,500 tuition · 47% grad rate
  22. 22. Fayetteville State University — Fayetteville, NC · 82.2% acceptance · SAT 959 · $8,353 tuition · 38% grad rate
  23. 23. Catawba College — Salisbury, NC · 75.2% acceptance · SAT 1,096 · $34,300 tuition · 47% grad rate
  24. 24. Livingstone College — Salisbury, NC · 59.3% acceptance · $18,296 tuition · 28% grad rate
  25. 25. Pfeiffer University — Misenheimer, NC · 96% acceptance · $35,070 tuition · 35% grad rate

Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in North Carolina on PickACampus