Colleges around the country specialize in Criminal Justice degrees, and selecting the right one for you may include considering the college's location. Check with the universities in your area to see if they offer a Criminal Justice degree. Remember to search for online options, as well. Online classes will not require you to attend the program on campus, which may enable you to attend a top-ranked program without moving to that state.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the top schools for criminal justice include University of Maryland - College Park, University of Cincinnati, Pennsylvania State University - University Park, University of California Irvine, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University, Northeastern University, American University, Arizona State University and University of Nebraska because these curriculums offer such a wide variety of criminal justice classes.
Private universities tend to have higher prestige, which tends to require a higher tuition than public universities. Public universities offer in-state tuition to state residents, and if you live in the state of a top criminal justice school, this could provide the most inexpensive option for you.
Online programs hold a special appeal for nontraditional students or for students who must work full-time to pay for college. Many of the best criminal justice schools do offer online programs which provide great opportunities for busy students. However, if time and cost do not restrict your ability to attend college in-person, remember that students in traditional classrooms have the benefit of learning from one another through collaboration and in-person interaction. Whether online or in-person, make sure the school you choose holds the proper accreditation and has tuition and time commitments you can afford.