PickACampus
Loading...

Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in Tennessee

The best colleges for a Criminal Justice degree in Tennessee, led by University of Memphis, Lipscomb University and The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. 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 Tennessee?

Based on our rankings, University of Memphis is the top-ranked college for Criminal Justice in Tennessee. Other top choices include Lipscomb University, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Cumberland 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 Memphis, Lipscomb University, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. 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 $24,716 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 $49,628 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 Memphis — Memphis, TN · 72% acceptance · SAT 1,088 · $15,384 tuition · 51% grad rate
  2. 2. Lipscomb University — Nashville, TN · 67.7% acceptance · SAT 1,256 · $40,572 tuition · 72% grad rate
  3. 3. The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga — Chattanooga, TN · 81.1% acceptance · SAT 1,147 · $18,512 tuition · 50% grad rate
  4. 4. Cumberland University — Lebanon, TN · 67.3% acceptance · $27,840 tuition · 46% grad rate
  5. 5. Trevecca Nazarene University — Nashville, TN · 69.4% acceptance · SAT 1,091 · $31,300 tuition · 53% grad rate
  6. 6. Middle Tennessee State University — Murfreesboro, TN · 69.1% acceptance · SAT 1,121 · $31,574 tuition · 54% grad rate
  7. 7. East Tennessee State University — Johnson City, TN · 86.2% acceptance · SAT 1,144 · $14,522 tuition · 53% grad rate
  8. 8. Freed-Hardeman University — Henderson, TN · 59.7% acceptance · SAT 1,109 · $25,620 tuition · 71% grad rate
  9. 9. Lincoln Memorial University — Harrogate, TN · 62.6% acceptance · SAT 1,092 · $26,938 tuition · 50% grad rate
  10. 10. Lee University — Cleveland, TN · 70.5% acceptance · SAT 1,145 · $23,790 tuition · 63% grad rate
  11. 11. King University — Bristol, TN · 99.7% acceptance · $36,194 tuition · 48% grad rate
  12. 12. The University of Tennessee-Martin — Martin, TN · 88.2% acceptance · SAT 1,120 · $16,600 tuition · 53% grad rate
  13. 13. Tennessee State University — Nashville, TN · 70.1% acceptance · SAT 1,000 · $22,416 tuition · 34% grad rate
  14. 14. Austin Peay State University — Clarksville, TN · 96.4% acceptance · SAT 1,088 · $14,766 tuition · 40% grad rate

Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in Tennessee on PickACampus