School and Ranking Information
There are about nine institutions offering criminal justice programs within a 25-mile radius of Jacksonville. The following schools include the top three based on school type, cost and available degree levels:
- Winner: University of North Florida in Jacksonville is the top pick based on its undergraduate and graduate program offerings in the field and its regional rankings.
- Runner Up #1: Florida State College at Jacksonville is the first runner up based on the number of degrees awarded in criminal justice and its low tuition costs.
- Runner Up #2: Edward Waters University, found in Jacksonville, secures third place for its numerous law enforcement partnerships and for being an approved training site for Florida's Department of Law Enforcement.
School Comparison Chart
| Category | University of North Florida | Florida State College at Jacksonville | Edward Waters University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rankings (2022) | 263rd among for national universities* 140th among top public schools* | N/A | N/A |
| Location | Jacksonville, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Jacksonville, FL |
| School Type | 4-year, public | 4-year (primarily associate's), public | 4-year, private not-for-profit |
| Tuition & Fees (2019-2020) | $6,389 (undergraduate, in-state) $20,793 (undergraduate, out-of-state) $10,364 (graduate, in-state) $21,930 (graduate, out-of-state)** | $2,878 (undergraduate, in-state) $9,992 (undergraduate, out-of-state)** | $14,878 (undergraduate)** |
| Criminal Justice Degree Levels Offered | Bachelor's and master's degrees | Certificates; associate's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded (All Levels) in 2018-2019 | 212** | 242** | 36** |
| Most Popular Criminal Justice Program in 2018-2019 | Bachelor's in Criminal Justice (192 awarded)** | Certificate in Criminal Justice (242 awarded)** | Bachelor's in Criminal Justice (24 awarded)** |
| Undergraduate Graduation Rate (in 150% of normal degree time) for 2013 Entering Class | 67%** | 37%** | 36%** |
| Noteworthy | Numerous buildings on campus meet green standards | Many community services are offered by the school | Considered to be the oldest private higher education school in Florida |
Sources: *U.S. News & World Report, **National Center for Education Statistics.
Winner: University of North Florida
- Criminal justice department has one of the largest internship placement programs in the country
- Students can join the school's Student Criminal Justice Association (SCJA)
- Criminal Justice Policy Research Consortium on campus
The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers both undergraduate and graduation programs related to criminal justice. The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program includes core major classes that cover topics in law enforcement systems, court systems, correctional systems and criminological theory. Students are required to complete a minor and a non-service internship. The University of North Florida also offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice program. Within the first nine credit hours of the program, students must take a class on criminological theory along with one of the following courses: research methods, elementary statistics or logic of inquiry. Coursework is also offered to graduate students in areas like quantitative research methods, police effectiveness, family violence and the justice process.
Runner-Up #1: Florida State College at Jacksonville
- Criminal Justice Center includes unique training facilities, such as a mock court room, driving simulator and 2-story search house
- The school offers continuing education options
This Jacksonville school offers multiple criminal justice programs, including those that result in a technical certificate, workforce certificate and associate's degree. The technical certificates programs are in homeland security and management, crime scene technician and criminal justice technology specialist. Correctional officer and law enforcement officer are the two workforce certificates students can pursue. Finally, the school has an Associate in Science in Criminal Justice Technology degree program. As a part of the associate's degree program, students obtain technical certificates in crime scene technician and criminal justice technology specialist.
Runner-Up #2: Edward Waters University
- Criminal justice department has partnerships with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Advisory Council, Florida Department of Corrections and Florida Coastal School of Law
- Campus is an approved satellite training site for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Edward Waters University has criminal justice degree program that may result in a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. The Bachelor of Science degree is career focused, while the Bachelor of Arts program prepares students for further study. As a part of the curriculum, criminal justice majors study psychology, law and the judicial system, public policy, government and sociology. The basis of the program revolves around a liberal arts education. At the end of the program, students have to complete a final practicum course and an exit examination.
