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 the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.
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 ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $65,607 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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% |
| Wingate University posts an average net price of $20,748 and a six-year completion rate of 46%. | |||||
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 reports median earnings of $60,235 for its Criminal Justice graduates 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 ranks 4th on this list and shows a six-year completion rate of 61%. | |||||
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 reports an average net price of $17,882 and 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, a public university in Cullowhee, reports median earnings of $55,903 for its 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 posts a six-year completion rate of 75% and an average net price of $16,836. | |||||
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 reports an average net price of $7,892 and median earnings of $54,767 for its 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 reports median earnings of $54,209 for its Criminal Justice graduates 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 median earnings of $53,738 for its 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 a six-year completion rate of 44% and median earnings of $53,348 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (25 graduates), Fire Protection (23 graduates), Security Science and Technology (11 graduates) | |||||
| 12 | Winston-Salem State University · Winston-Salem, NC | $52,130 | $13,479 | $11,463 | 78.3% |
| Winston-Salem State University posts an average net price of $13,479 and admits 78% of applicants. | |||||
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 median earnings of $51,834 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate stands at 49%. | |||||
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% |
| With an average net price of $17,674, Gardner-Webb University admits 77% of applicants and ranks 14th on this list. | |||||
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 posts median earnings of $51,474 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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 reports a six-year completion rate of 52%. | |||||
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% |
| Pfeiffer University admits 96% of applicants and shows median earnings of $50,798 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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% |
| Graduating 63% of its students within six years, East Carolina University reports median earnings of $50,722 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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 carries an average net price of $10,260 and reports 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% |
| With an average net price of $6,364, Elizabeth City State University ranks 20th on this list and reports a six-year completion rate of 44%. | |||||
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 reports median earnings of $50,085 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 77%. | |||||
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 ranks 332nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts median earnings of $48,443 for its Criminal Justice graduates 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% |
| Admitting 69% of applicants, Chowan University reports median earnings of $44,858 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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 shows a six-year completion rate of 42% and reports median earnings of $43,805 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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, a private nonprofit university in Raleigh, reports $43,299 in median earnings for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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 shows a six-year completion rate of 45%. | |||||
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% |
| Livingstone College posts an average net price of $13,479 and graduates 28% of its students within six years. | |||||
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 ranks 28th on this list, with median earnings of $33,281 for its Criminal Justice graduates two years after completing. | |||||
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 sits 1382nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a 34% admission rate. | |||||
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, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled after completing. 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