Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 29 schools in North Carolina that offer a Criminal Justice program, ordered by median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. High Point University leads the list at $65,607, followed by Wingate University at $62,075 and Belmont Abbey College at $60,235.
The figures span from $65,607 down to $25,774, with a median of $51,474 across the listed schools. For 2 of the 29 schools the earnings figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
The list includes 10 public and 19 private nonprofit institutions. University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranks 98th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Elizabeth City State University posts the lowest average net price at $6,364, while Appalachian State University reports the highest six-year completion rate at 75%.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Criminal Justice Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | High Point University · High Point, NC | $65,607 | $38,707 | $32,763 | 75.3% |
| High Point University reports $65,607 in median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list, and carries an average net price of $38,707. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (45 graduates) | |||||
| 2 | Wingate University · Wingate, NC | $62,075 | $20,748 | $18,772 | 91.1% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 46%, Wingate University ranks 2nd on this page and posts median earnings of $62,075 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (25 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($62,075) | |||||
| 3 | Belmont Abbey College · Belmont, NC | $60,235 | $24,639 | $20,610 | 74.7% |
| Belmont Abbey College admits 75% of applicants and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $60,235 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($60,235) | |||||
| 4 | Campbell University · Buies Creek, NC | $57,292 | $24,516 | $20,751 | 87.2% |
| Campbell University, a private nonprofit university in Buies Creek, reports $57,292 in median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $24,516. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Homeland Security (29 graduates), Criminal Justice and Corrections (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Homeland Security ($62,695), Criminal Justice and Corrections ($49,830) | |||||
| 5 | Greensboro College · Greensboro, NC | $56,598 | $17,882 | $13,877 | 70.1% |
| Greensboro College shows an average net price of $17,882 alongside median earnings of $56,598 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (11 graduates) | |||||
| 6 | Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC | $55,903 | $13,315 | $8,816 | 81.8% |
| Western Carolina University graduates 60% of its students within six years and reports $55,903 in median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (149 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($55,903) | |||||
| 7 | Appalachian State University · Boone, NC | $55,474 | $16,836 | $9,325 | 90.1% |
| Appalachian State University reports $55,474 in median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, above the list median of $51,474. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (145 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($55,474) | |||||
| 8 | Fayetteville State University · Fayetteville, NC | $54,767 | $7,892 | $6,233 | 82.2% |
| Fayetteville State University carries an average net price of $7,892 and reports $54,767 in median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (90 graduates), Fire Protection (38 graduates), Security Science and Technology (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fire Protection ($73,969), Criminal Justice and Corrections ($46,660) | |||||
| 9 | Guilford College · Greensboro, NC | $54,209 | $22,270 | $18,367 | 80.0% |
| Guilford College admits 80% of applicants and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $54,209 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($54,209) | |||||
| 10 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $53,738 | $15,435 | $10,357 | 79.6% |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranks 98th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $53,738 in median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (246 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($53,738) | |||||
| 11 | Methodist University · Fayetteville, NC | $53,348 | $24,704 | $20,371 | 75.1% |
| Methodist University reports median earnings of $53,348 four years after completing and an average net price of $24,704. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (25 graduates), Fire Protection (23 graduates), Security Science and Technology (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($53,072) | |||||
| 12 | Winston-Salem State University · Winston-Salem, NC | $52,130 | $13,479 | $11,463 | 78.3% |
| Winston-Salem State University graduates 47% of its students within six years and reports $52,130 in median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (44 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($52,130) | |||||
| 13 | Brevard College · Brevard, NC | $51,834 | $23,509 | $19,294 | 42.2% |
| Brevard College reports $51,834 in median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $23,509. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (33 graduates) | |||||
| 14 | Gardner-Webb University · Boiling Springs, NC | $51,709 | $17,674 | $15,304 | 77.2% |
| Gardner-Webb University admits 77% of applicants and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $51,709 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (43 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($51,709) | |||||
| 15 | North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC | $51,474 | $10,846 | $8,223 | 49.9% |
| A public university in Greensboro, North Carolina A & T State University shows a six-year completion rate of 57% alongside median earnings of $51,474 for its Criminal Justice graduates. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (110 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($51,474) | |||||
| 16 | University of Mount Olive · Mount Olive, NC | $50,800 | $18,853 | $18,227 | 75.8% |
| University of Mount Olive ranks 899th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts $50,800 in median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (40 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($50,800) | |||||
| 17 | Pfeiffer University · Misenheimer, NC | $50,798 | $19,076 | $16,167 | 96.0% |
| With an admission rate of 96%, Pfeiffer University reports an average net price of $16,167 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (15 graduates) | |||||
| 18 | East Carolina University · Greenville, NC | $50,722 | $15,739 | $10,046 | 89.2% |
| East Carolina University graduates 63% of its students within six years and its Criminal Justice completers earn a median of $50,722 four years after graduating. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (191 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($50,722) | |||||
| 19 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke · Pembroke, NC | $50,382 | $10,260 | $7,919 | 93.3% |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke lists an average net price of $10,260 and median earnings of $50,382 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (150 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($50,382) | |||||
| 20 | Elizabeth City State University · Elizabeth City, NC | $50,239 | $6,364 | $4,246 | 64.2% |
| Elizabeth City State University carries the lowest average net price on the page at $6,364 and reports $50,239 in median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($50,239) | |||||
| 21 | Lees-McRae College · Banner Elk, NC | $50,085 | $28,340 | $23,030 | 76.8% |
| Lees-McRae College shows a six-year completion rate of 42% and an average net price of $23,030 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (29 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($50,085) | |||||
| 22 | North Carolina Central University · Durham, NC | $48,443 | $15,359 | $13,032 | 87.0% |
| North Carolina Central University admits 87% of applicants and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $48,443 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (122 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($48,443) | |||||
| 23 | Chowan University · Murfreesboro, NC | $44,858 | $14,086 | $13,726 | 68.8% |
| Chowan University ranks 1299th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $14,086. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($44,858) | |||||
| 24 | North Carolina Wesleyan University · Rocky Mount, NC | $43,805 | $17,432 | $16,114 | 80.2% |
| North Carolina Wesleyan University posts $43,805 in median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing and graduates 42% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (89 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($43,805) | |||||
| 25 | Shaw University · Raleigh, NC | $43,299 | $16,512 | $16,236 | 80.2% |
| Shaw University reports $43,299 in median earnings for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 22%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (20 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($43,299) | |||||
| 26 | Mars Hill University · Mars Hill, NC | $41,384 | $19,910 | $17,021 | 67.9% |
| Mars Hill University admits 68% of applicants and posts an average net price of $19,910. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (7 graduates) | |||||
| 27 | Livingstone College · Salisbury, NC | $35,015 | $13,479 | $13,860 | 59.3% |
| With an average net price of $13,860 for families earning under $30,000, Livingstone College ranks 1117th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($35,015) | |||||
| 28 | Barton College · Wilson, NC | $33,281 | $23,626 | $19,641 | 94.2% |
| Barton College reports $33,281 in median earnings for its Criminal Justice graduates two years after completing, and its admission rate is 94%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (8 graduates) | |||||
| 29 | Saint Augustine's University · Raleigh, NC | $25,774 | $24,313 | $27,815 | 33.8% |
| Saint Augustine's University graduates 25% of its students within six years and reports $25,774 in median earnings for its Criminal Justice graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (12 graduates) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Criminal Justice earnings cohort in North Carolina appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 2 of the 29 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or the characteristics of the students who enroll, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. High Point University leads Wingate University by $3,532, and the spread from the top of the list to the bottom reaches $39,833.
Job market context in North Carolina
Criminal Justice graduates in North Carolina enter occupations such as Security Guards, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers, and Firefighters. Across those occupations the median annual wage is $57,843, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $47,758. State projections for 2024 to 2034 count about 15,770 openings a year, or about 801 openings a year for every hundred graduates, which means more projected openings than graduates. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 5.1% higher. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses the median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing; the market figures describe the broader occupations, and the two are not the same measure.
Related rankings
- Criminal Justice Colleges
- Best Colleges in North Carolina
- Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New York
- Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas
- Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Florida
- Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia
- Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina for Social Mobility