School and Ranking Information
Only a few schools in a 25-mile radius of the Spokane area offer criminal justice programs. These include public schools as well as private not-for-profit and for-profit institutions. The following schools are considered the top three in the area based on rankings, program levels offered and graduation rates:
- Winner: Gonzaga University in Spokane is the top pick overall because it is the only school that offers a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in the area, it has a high regional ranking from U.S. News & World Report, and it has the highest undergraduate graduation rate.
- Runner Up #1: Spokane Community College, located in Spokane, is the first runner up due to being a public school, having low tuition and offering both certificates and associate's degrees in criminal justice.
School Comparison Chart
| Category | Gonzaga University | Spokane Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings (2022) | 83rd for National Universities* | N/A |
| Location | Spokane, WA | Spokane, WA |
| School Type | 4-year, private not-for-profit | 2-year, public |
| Tuition & Fees (2021-2022) | $48,470 (undergraduate)** | $3,826 (undergraduate, in-state); $5,135 (undergraduate, out-of-state) ** |
| Criminal Justice Program Levels Offered | Bachelor's degrees | Certificates and associate's degrees |
| Criminal Justice Certificate and Degrees Awarded (All Levels) in 2020-2021 | 0** | 18** |
| Undergraduate Graduation Rate (in 150% of normal degree time) for 2015 Entering Class | 85%** | 32%** |
| Noteworthy | All of the classes are taught by professors | Distance learning courses are offered |
Sources: *U.S. News & World Report, **NCES College Navigator
Winner: Gonzaga University
- Department of Sociology administers the program, and faculty comes from political science, sociology, psychology and criminal justice departments
- The school's library houses over 300,000 books
- The university is involved in sustainability efforts
Gonzaga University is home to a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree program. In the first year, students start out with an introduction class, while in the fourth year, students take a course on criminal theory and measurement. With the necessary grade point average, students can graduate from the program with honors. The coursework for the criminal justice program covers topics like public administration, juvenile delinquency, forensic psychology, corrections and constitutional law. For students pursuing another major but who are still interested in criminal justice, there is the option for a minor in criminal justice.
Runner-Up #1: Spokane Community College
- Continuing education programs and courses are available
Spokane Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Corrections and an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice to students interested in criminal justice. The corrections program is geared for students who plan on being employed in correctional facilities. The criminal justice program encompasses topics like criminal law, patrol procedures, interviews, investigations and criminal procedures. For certificates, the school offers a level 1 certificate and a level 2 certificate in law enforcement.
