Skip to content
CIP 43.0107 Homeland Security and Law Enforcement

Criminal Justice/Police Science

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

6,784

2025 · 340 schools

International share

1.0%

66 international students

Bachelor's degrees

1,951

1.3% international

Master's degrees

85

2.4% international

Overview

Criminal Justice/Police Science is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the study of the criminal justice system, law enforcement practices, and the social implications of crime. This major prepares students to understand the complexities of crime and the various components of the justice system, including law enforcement, the judiciary, and corrections.

Students in this program typically explore topics such as criminology, criminal law, forensic science, and the sociology of crime. They learn about the processes involved in criminal investigations, the legal framework governing police conduct, and the ethical considerations in law enforcement. The curriculum often includes practical training through internships or field experiences, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.

Graduates of Criminal Justice/Police Science programs can pursue various careers in law enforcement, such as police officers, detectives, or federal agents. Additionally, they may work in roles related to corrections, probation, parole, or in roles such as crime analysts or policy advisors. The field emphasizes the importance of community policing, crime prevention strategies, and the role of social justice in the criminal justice system.

Overall, the study of Criminal Justice/Police Science equips students with the critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills necessary to navigate the challenges of crime and justice in society, contributing to safer communities and a more effective justice system.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2002 to 2025, graduates fell 20% and the international share went from 0.2% to 1.0%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
45.9%
Asian
3.0%
Hispanic
28.8%
Black
13.4%
Other
7.8%
Intl.
1.0%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 340 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#59 Florida State University Florida 38 0
#121 George Mason University Virginia 316 4
#191 Rowan University New Jersey 205 4
#202 Ohio University-Main Campus Ohio 1 0
#288 University of Indianapolis Indiana 13 3
#317 Ferris State University Michigan 159 0
#332 University of Baltimore Maryland 52 0
#353 Pennsylvania Western University Pennsylvania 38 1
#365 William Carey University Mississippi 14 0
#376 University of Arkansas--Little Rock Arkansas 45 1
#376 Belhaven University Mississippi 7 0
#382 Grand Canyon University Arizona 273 5
#382 Idaho State University Idaho 1 0
#382 Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus Puerto Rico 7 0
— CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College New York 232 7
— Columbia Southern University Alabama 219 0
— Texas A & M International University Texas 186 3
— Connecticut State Community College Connecticut 163 0
— Monroe University New York 105 7
— Rasmussen University-Minnesota Minnesota 91 0
— Santa Ana College California 85 0
— Victor Valley College California 71 0
— Lackawanna College Pennsylvania 71 0
— Western Connecticut State University Connecticut 70 0
— Alexandria Technical & Community College Minnesota 68 0
— Fitchburg State University Massachusetts 67 0
— Ocean County College New Jersey 66 0
— Delaware Technical Community College-Terry Delaware 63 0
— Rowan College at Burlington County New Jersey 62 0
— SUNY Westchester Community College New York 62 1
— Brookdale Community College New Jersey 59 1
— Fox Valley Technical College Wisconsin 57 0
— County College of Morris New Jersey 56 0
— Passaic County Community College New Jersey 55 0
— University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Washington 50 0
— Century College Minnesota 49 0
— Hudson County Community College New Jersey 49 0
— Nevada State University Nevada 45 0
— Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus New Jersey 44 0
— Austin Community College District Texas 44 0
— South University-Savannah Online Georgia 44 0
— Community College of Rhode Island Rhode Island 43 0
— Columbus State Community College Ohio 42 1
— Bunker Hill Community College Massachusetts 41 2

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 670,520 $38.08 $79,200
Detectives and Criminal Investigators 114,430 $47.80 $99,430
Private Detectives and Investigators 35,580 $28.92 $60,150
Bailiffs 17,310 $29.65 $61,660
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary 13,150 — $87,550

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2002–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.