There are a few choices in schools throughout New York if you want to earn a degree in Criminal Justice. Whether you are ready to earn a bachelor’s or master’s, you will find some of the best schools where you can study this subject in-depth. They will open you up to numerous job opportunities, allowing you to pursue a wide range of career options that including law enforcement and teaching.
Why Choose New York For Your Criminal Justice Degree?
A lot of opportunities are available to you when you attend one of the many criminal justice colleges in New York, Many of the schools on our list can help you get an internship with some of the country’s top law enforcement and private security agencies. Certain sectors of criminal justice are more in demand than others. The U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics expects job growth for various positions within the criminal justice industry, between now and 2028.
For example, the need for Forensic Science Technicians is expected to rise by 14%. The expected job growth rate for Police Officers and Sheriffs is 5%. When it comes to detectives and investigators, the need is expected to rise by 8%, with the need for probation officers rising by an expected 3%
Below is our list of the best Criminal Justice colleges in New York, based on tuition and required credit hours. Here is a list of the top 15 Criminal Justice colleges in New York.
Top 15 Criminal Justice Colleges In New York
1. University of Albany – Albany (80 points)
At the University of Albany, students can study towards a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice. Students can choose from several concentrations; Justice Systems, IT, Problem Solving and Analysis, or Crime Causation, Prevention, and Intervention.
Those that prefer to can also participate in an internship through this program. The recommended path for students that pursue an internship is to spend just as much time and effort on independent study.
Students who want to go on to earn a Juris Doctor in Law at Albany Law School are able to follow this career path once they have completed the program successfully.
- Credit Hours – 33
- Tuition – $5,655 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 54%
2. Suny Brockport – Brockport (80 points)
Suny Brockport offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The main focus of the program’s curriculum is on theory and practice when it comes to criminal justice systems. While enrolled in this program students are encouraged to pursue an internship, extracurricular activities, and even a study abroad session in Dublin or Waterford.
Students even have the option of pursuing a double major by combining Criminal Justice and Sociology.
Whether they choose a double major or not, students in this program may be invited to join the Criminal Justice Honor Society.
- Credit Hours – 120
- Tuition – $3,535 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 55%
3. Molloy College – Rockville Centre (90 points)
Molloy College offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. There are six areas of focus the curriculum is based on, including Criminological Theory, Administration of Justice, and research & analytical methods. In order to graduate, students must complete a Master’s seminar on campus.
- Credit Hours – 15
- Tuition – $8,692 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 75%
4. Hilbert College – Hamburg (90 points)
At Hilbert College, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Their experiences in this program are extremely interactive. The curriculum relies heavily on ethics and corrections, criminology, and research methods.
Students are always encouraged to pursue an internship as part of their education. Many of them work as interns at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Others complete their internships with the New York State Attorney General’s Office or even the U.S. Secret Service.
- Credit Hours – 120
- Tuition – $11,737 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 84%
5. Morrisville State College – Morrisville (90 points)
Students that attend Morrisville State College often study for a Bachelor of Technology in Criminal Justice. Possible concentrations include:
- Information Technology
- Adolescents and the Criminal Justice System
- Public Safety and Security
- Economics and White Collar Crime
- Natural Resources
In addition to the curriculum, students have to take a semester to complete an internship before they can graduate.
Other perks of studying this program include the use of the IES Milo Simulator, found on the school’s campus. The simulator includes a system called “Shoot Don’t Shoot.” Using chemical agents and Taser technology, students learn how to use force while still communicating in a professional manner. Students are placed in virtual scenarios they may face as part of their jobs.
The school also boasts a crime scene lab where students learn about forensic technology, and how to collect, preserve, and handle evidence in a police case.
- Credit Hours – 122
- Tuition – $3,535 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 64%
6. The College of Saint Rose – Albany (80 points)
The College of Saint Rose offers a Bachelor in Criminal Justice, Behavior, and Law. The diversity of the program means that it prepares students to work as a court advocate, crime analyst, research/analyst statistician, and enforcement personnel. To prepare for these careers, students can choose to focus on criminal justice, law, or behavior.
The students that shine the most in this program may be chosen to complete an internship at the school’s Cold Case Analysis Center. During their internship, students work to solve real cases.
Students can also enhance their education by listening to the Upstate Unsolved Podcast, run jointly by the Cold Case Analysis Center and Saint Rose.
- Credit Hours – 120
- Tuition – $16,576 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 76%
7. Rochester Institute of Technology – Rochester (70 points)
The Rochester Institute of Technology is known for its Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. In this program, students are taught to apply problem-solving techniques to criminal behavior, administration, management, and social control mechanisms. As part of the program, students have the opportunity to work in the school’s Center for Public Safety Initiatives. In conjunction with the Rochester Police Department, students work to gain practical experience in data analysis, crime mapping, and data gathering by collaborating on projects with the center’s staff.
- Credit Hours – 120
- Tuition – $25,282 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 70%
8. Farmingdale State College – Farmingdale (80 points)
At Farmingdale State College, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Police, Courts and Corrections. The program’s curriculum covers areas of study like:
- Patrol Operations
- Leadership and Ethics
- Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
- Civil Rights and Liberties
Many students that complete this program go on to work as Transit/Railroad Police, New York Criminal Investigators and Detectives, and Correctional Treatment and Probation Office Specialists.
- Credit Hours – 123
- Tuition – $3,535 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 53%
9. Pace University – Westchester (70 points)
Through the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at Pace University, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Those enrolled in this program are strongly encouraged to pursue a minor in related files such as psychology or computer science. As part of their bachelor’s, students study subjects like terrorism, community policing, investigation, and police-community relations.
To get the most out of their experience, students are encouraged to join the school’s Criminal Justice Society. As a student-run group, it hosts professional meetings, lectures, and hands-on activities.
- Credit Hours – 128
- Tuition – 22,916 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 79%
10. St. John’s University – Staten Island (60 points)
At the Lesley H. And William L.Collins College of Professional Studies at St. John’s University, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. One reason that this program stands out from others is that it provides students with the chance to pursue a specialization in Forensic Psychology. Earning their Bachelor of Science at St. John’s University may be easier for students that have passed courses with Suffolk County, Nassau County, or the NYC Police.
Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to study abroad in the school’s overseas campuses, located in Paris, Rome, and Italy.
During their second year of study, students may file an application with the NYPD Cadet Program. This gives them access to exclusive internships other students aren’t eligible for.
- Credit Hours – 120
- Tuition – $30,810 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 72%
11. Marist College – Poughkeepsie (60 points)
Marist College offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The program’s curriculum includes defense, prosecution, punishment, treatment and socialization of criminals. To graduate, students are required to complete an internship at an allied or criminal justice agency. These internships are often found with the Green Haven Correctional Facility, the NYPD, and the District Attorney’s office of Duchess County.
- Credit Hours – 120
- Tuition – $21,715 oer semester
- Acceptance Rate – 49%
12. Iona College – New Rochelle (90 points)
At Iona College, students can earn a Masters of Science in Criminal Justice. The program is highly customizable, allowing students to focus on areas like victims’ services, justice administration, probation & parole services, and criminology. In addition, as part of their Master’s degree program, students can earn a certificate in cybercrime & prevention, or forensic criminology & criminal justice.
Many of the students that have completed this program have gone on to work for the NYPD, Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security.
- Credit Hours – 33
- Tuition – $19,915 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 84%
13. Adelphi University – Garden City (80 points)
At Adelphi University students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The program emphasizes hands-on learning to prepare students for careers with enforcement agencies that include the Secret Service and the F.B.I. Students often complete internships with the Nassau County Police Department as well as the NYPD.
The curriculum includes courses taught by various departments, including the Derner School of Psychology, the Departments of Anthropology, Political Science and Sociology, as well as the School of Social Work.
- Credit Hours – 120
- Tuition – $19,910 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 74%
14. Alfred University – Alfred (80 points)
At Alfred University students can study for a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Studies. The curriculum in this program includes international security, psychology, ethics, and public policy.
Before students can graduate they also have to complete a half-day workshop for each semester of study. This helps students gain insights into the problems they will face throughout their careers in criminal justice. Two half-day workshops must be completed by every student.
- Credit Hours – 120
- Tuition – $17,538 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 66%
15. Niagara University – Niagara (90 points)
Niagara University offers students the chance to earn a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. Students must follow a curriculum that includes Criminal Justice Management & Administration, Professional Ethics, System-Wide Issues in Criminal Justice, and Computers/Statistics. Those that would prefer can simply complete a six-credit thesis that counts towards graduation.
- Credit Hours – 33
- Tuition – $14,437 per semester
- Acceptance Rate – 89%
If you are still struggling to choose the school that is right for you, our Degree Finder tool will help you narrow down your choices to the best.
How We Rank Schools
We compile information on each school’s in-state per semester tuition and its acceptance rate. Tuition rates are based on two-year programs for a Masters, and four-year programs for a Bachelors.
By sorting schools according to their tuition and acceptance rates, schools get up to 50 points in both categories. The lowest tuition rates get the highest score as do the highest acceptance rates. We add these two scores together to determine a school’s final ranking on our list.
It is our goal to provide only accurate information for each school that we recommend. If you work for a school we have included, and you feel we ranked it incorrectly, please let us know. We will fix any errors immediately.