How many colleges in California offer Criminal Justice programs?

CampusPin currently lists 279 U.S. colleges and universities in California that offer Criminal Justice programs. The list updates daily as institutions report new program offerings to IPEDS.

What's the tuition for a Criminal Justice program in California?

Among the 50 Criminal Justice programs listed in California, published in-state tuition ranges from $1,104 to $63,255 (median around $15,195). Public institutions are typically lower for in-state students than private ones. Always verify the current cost of attendance with each school before applying.

What jobs can a Criminal Justice degree lead to?

A Criminal Justice degree commonly leads to roles such as Police Officer / Detective, Federal Agent (FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, ICE), Probation / Parole Officer, Corrections Officer. Typical pay (early-career; BLS figures are occupation-wide medians): $45,000–$72,000 early-career (BLS, 2024 police and sheriff's patrol officers median $76,290).

Can I apply to a Criminal Justice program in California with the Common App?

Many Criminal Justice programs in California accept the Common Application. CampusPin tags each school's Common App acceptance, use the Common App filter on /results to narrow to programs you can apply to with one application.

Criminal Justice · California

Criminal Justice colleges in California

CampusPin lists 279 U.S. colleges in California that offer Criminal Justice programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

Criminal Justice studies the institutions and practices of policing, courts, and corrections, preparing graduates for law enforcement, probation, corrections, and law school.

Schools in California that offer Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice programs in California: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 279 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

279

Public / private

19 / 31

Universities / 2-year

41 / 9

Cities represented

In-state tuition range

$1,104–$63,255

Median in-state tuition

$15,195

Lowest published in-state tuition

Barstow Community College

$1,104

Most selective

California Institute of Technology

3% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

California State University-Fullerton

41,793 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a Criminal Justice program

Introduction to the criminal justice system
Criminology theory
Policing and police administration
Criminal law and procedure
Corrections and rehabilitation
Juvenile justice
Forensic methods (depending on track)
Research methods and statistics

Where a Criminal Justice degree can lead

Police Officer / Detective
Federal Agent (FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, ICE)
Probation / Parole Officer
Corrections Officer
Forensic Analyst
Lawyer (with JD)

Typical pay: $45,000–$72,000 early-career (BLS, 2024 police and sheriff's patrol officers median $76,290)

A Criminal Justice major covers the structure of policing, courts, and corrections; criminology theory; criminal law and procedure; victimology; juvenile justice; and corrections. Programs often offer concentrations in Law Enforcement, Forensic Science, Cybercrime, Homeland Security, or Pre-Law. Many include an internship with a local police department, sheriff's office, court, prosecutor, or correctional facility.

Graduates work in federal, state, and local law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole, private security, victim advocacy, and corporate compliance. The major is also a common pre-law track.

Criminal Justice in other states

Other majors in California

Find more Criminal Justice schools

Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 279+ Criminal Justice programs in California by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

Search Criminal Justice schools in California About the Criminal Justice major All colleges in California

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