Best HBCUs for Criminal Justice Programs
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For centuries, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have operated with the specific purpose of educating African American students. In recent decades, funding for these institutions has waxed and waned, but in 2023, the United Negro College Fund received $100 million to bolster HBCUs.
More money means higher-quality programs, including criminal justice. Read on to learn more about the best criminal justice programs at HBCUs and where this major can take you.
Featured Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best HBCUs for Criminal Justice Programs of 2024
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Lincoln University
Jefferson City, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $373
Out-of-State | $625
Credits to Graduate: 120
Founded in 1854, Lincoln University is one of two HBCUs in Pennsylvania. You can earn a bachelor's in criminal justice at this HBCU, which offers a law enforcement track to focus your degree. The track incorporates coursework in forensic science, criminal investigation, and abnormal psychology. You can also choose between a BA or BS in criminal justice.
Consider joining this program if you want to explore the criminal justice system and the social forces that impact criminal conduct. You'll prepare for careers in law enforcement, public administration, social work, or criminal justice.
Talladega College
Talladega, AL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $505
Out-of-State | $505
Credits to Graduate: 120
Talladega College is Alabama's oldest private HBCU. Based in the historic city of Talladega, the school's oak-lined campus welcomes students pursuing a bachelor's in criminal justice.
You'll take courses in criminal law, social and behavioral statistics, criminology, and Constitutional law. The program also features coursework covering diversity in criminal justice and incorporates an internship that allows students to gain hands-on experience.
By enrolling in the FASTtrack program, which serves adult learners who have at least 45 college credits, you can earn a criminal justice degree in less than four years.
Philander Smith University
Little Rock, AR - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $495
Out-of-State | $495
Credits to Graduate: 120
Located in Little Rock, Arkansas, Philander Smith University dates back to 1877. This private HBCU offers a personalized approach to its student population of under 800 people. When you enroll in Philander Smith University's criminal justice bachelor's program, you can choose from an on-campus or online learning format.
The criminal justice program covers law, sociology, psychology, and public administration. You'll explore policing, the juvenile justice system, and corrections operations while strengthening your critical thinking and communication skills. You can also customize your degree by taking elective coursework covering topics like serial killers, terrorism, and domestic violence.
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To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
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To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
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In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
Why Attend an HBCU for Criminal Justice?
The decision to major in criminal justice at an HBCU offers a unique educational experience. Below are some reasons why.
Specialized Classes
Criminal justice programs at HBCUs often include specialized classes that explore issues in Black and other historically underrepresented communities. For example, the criminal justice major at Bowie State University requires a course on race, class, gender, and criminal justice. Additionally, HBCUs often offer courses focused on community relations with police.
Even a standard criminal justice course may be approached differently at an HBCU. When the majority of faculty and students are members of historically underrepresented communities, they provide unique perspectives on criminal justice topics.
Various Justice Reform Approaches
Not only do HBCUs offer a different approach to the standard criminal justice curriculum but many also put criminal justice into practice at their campuses and surrounding communities. HBCUs are often at the front lines of criminal justice and policing reforms.
For example, Dillard University's criminal justice program emphasizes understanding the policing and criminal justice systems as they relate to the Black community. In 2020, Lincoln University of Missouri became the first HBCU to open a police academy.
Affordability
Since HBCUs have traditionally served students with limited access to education and resources, they generally prioritize charging lower-than-average tuition. While the costs vary across HBCUs, you can often expect lower tuition and more scholarship opportunities.
For example, Prairie View A&M University offers several university scholarships. Even HBCUs that charge on the higher end — like Hampton University — offer several merit scholarships.
What Can You Do With a Degree in Criminal Justice?
HBCUs with criminal justice majors can prepare you for many jobs, such as emergency management director, forensic science technician, and police officer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for each of these roles is higher than the national median across all occupations as of 2022.
However, recent graduates should expect to make less than the median salary in their first year of work after graduation.
| Jobs | Median Annual Salary (May 2022) |
|---|---|
| Emergency Management Director | $79,180 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,740 |
| Police Officer | $69,160 |
| Private Detective | $52,120 |
| Probation Officer | $59,860 |
Frequently Asked Questions About HBCUs With Criminal Justice Majors
What's the difference between criminal justice and criminology?
Criminology refers to the study of criminal behavior and motive, while criminal justice explores the judicial and community response to crime. Both programs can prepare you for a career in law enforcement, so they often share required courses.
For example, a criminal justice program may include a criminology and introductory psychology course, even though the program focuses on the judicial system. Likewise, criminology degree programs often include criminal justice courses.
What courses can you expect to take in an HBCU for criminal justice?
Standard criminal justice courses include criminal investigations, corrections, and juvenile justice. You usually learn about the judicial system, criminal law, and policing. Many programs also include introductory courses in criminology and psychology.
Nevertheless, each HBCU criminal justice program includes a unique set of required courses — especially with concentration options. Some programs focus more on cybersecurity, while others emphasize the connection between criminology and criminal justice.
What's the highest-paying job you can get with a criminal justice degree?
The BLS reports that emergency management directors in the professional, scientific, or technical services industry earn the field's highest median salary, $106,000.
Geographic location affects how much you can earn in this role, too. Emergency management directors living in Idaho, California, and the District of Columbia make an average salary exceeding $113,000, according to the BLS.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 6, 2024.
