The field of criminal justice is an ever-changing, evolving career field.
The need for criminal justice professionals who have the education needed for success crosses all areas of criminal justice.
Criminal justice agencies and law enforcement agencies in the State of North Carolina want graduates who are ready to excel in their chosen careers.
Students who enroll in one of these best criminal justice schools in North Carolina have the opportunity to gain entry-level employment or to expand their career opportunities in criminal justice.
1 North Carolina Central University – Online
About the School
Are you a busy criminal justice professional or a prospective student who does not have the time or schedule that allows you to attend traditional criminal justice classes?
North Carolina Central University offers an Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at North Carolina Central University provides students with an overview of the criminal justice system, the components of criminal justice, and criminal justice theory.
Students choose their preferred concentration from three options.
The online options are the Homeland Security concentration, the Law Enforcement concentration, and the Corrections concentration.
Courses in the program include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Theory, Statistical Methods in Criminal Justice, and Ethics and Diversity in Criminal Justice.
Students also complete 12 credit hours of courses within their specific concentration.
Contact Information
- Address: 1801 Fayetteville St., Durham, North Carolina 27707
- Phone: 919-530-6100
- Website: Visit School Website
2 North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
About the School
The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program that provides students with a general overview of criminal justice.
Students gain the knowledge and skills that make them marketable in the field of criminal justice.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University provides students with knowledge of a variety of areas related to criminal justice.
The courses in the curriculum cover law enforcement, corrections, the nature and causes of crime, and issues related to criminal justice today.
Some courses in the program focus on policing and the courts, while other courses focus on corrections.
Students also gain knowledge of professional ethics in criminal justice.
Contact Information
- Address: 1601 East Market St., Greensboro, North Carolina 27411
- Phone: 336-334-7946
- Website: Visit School Website
3 University of North Carolina, Charlotte
About the School
The University of North Carolina, Charlotte considers its Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology as one of the best in the country.
The school offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice program for students who already have a bachelor’s degree.
Courses Offered
Some students who complete the program requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program continue their criminal justice studies by enrolling in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program.
The program uses an interdisciplinary approach to educating students who enroll in the program.
Students gain additional knowledge and skills in criminal justice.
They examine the systems that have been created in response to criminal and deviant behavior.
The program also prepares students for doctoral study.
Program courses include Criminological Theory and Policy, Legal and Ethical Issues in Crime Analysis, and Research Methods and Design.
Contact Information
- Address: 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223
- Phone: 704-687-8622
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Barton College
About the School
Barton College began educating criminal justice students in 1998.
One program offered at the school is the Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Sciences program.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Sciences program at Barton College focuses on the scientific study of crime, the prevention of crime, and the control of crime.
Students who choose to do so may complete both the Bachelor of Science and the Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice in five years.
Some program courses include courses in law enforcement, corrections, forensic science, and courts and the legal system.
Coursework also covers international crime, criminal justice administration, and criminology.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 Acc Drive West, Wilson, NC 27893
- Phone: 252-399-6300
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Guilford College
About the School
Guilford College offers its Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program through the school’s Justice and Policy Studies Department.
Students learn in the classroom and engage in real-world learning experiences by participating in an internship.
Courses Offered
Courses in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program prepare students for starting or advancing their criminal justice careers.
Students often continue their studies and pursue a graduate criminal justice degree.
Some courses in the program include Inquiry into Criminal Justice, Criminal Procedure, Criminal Law, Criminal Justice Policy and Practice, and Crime, Justice and the Community.
Contact Information
- Address: 5800 West Friendly Ave., Greensboro, North Carolina 27410
- Phone: 336-316-2000
- Website: Visit School Website
6 East Carolina University
About the School
East Carolina University educates criminal justice professionals for today and for the next generation.
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program provides students with learning opportunities in the classroom, in the field, and in the laboratory.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at East Carolina University complete 120 semester hours of study.
Courses in the program include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Crime and Criminality, The Juvenile Justice System, and Principles of Criminal Law.
The program also requires that students complete a writing course.
Contact Information
- Address: 901 E. Fifth St., Greenville, North Carolina 27858
- Phone: 252-558-9008
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Western Carolina University
About the School
Western Carolina University educates students from around the globe.
The school offers a variety of highly-ranked programs.
One such program is the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
Students complete courses in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program that prepare them to start their criminal justice career immediately after they earn their degree.
Many students continue their education or advance their careers in criminal justice.
Some courses in the program include Introduction to Criminal Justice and Criminology, Investigative Principles, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, and Organized Crime.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 University Drive, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723
- Phone: 828-227-7211
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Winston-Salem State University
About the School
Winston-Salem State University is a highly-ranked university that began educating students in 1892.
The university educates students from around the world today, including students who enroll in the Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies program.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies program offers students their choice of four concentrations.
Students choose the Forensic Science and Criminology concentration, the Social Justice and Public Policy concentration, the Global Justice and Law concentration, or the Spatial Justice and Sustainability concentration.
The curriculum in the interdisciplinary program includes courses such as Introduction to Justice Studies, Police and Community, Justice Administration, Court Procedure and Evidence.
Contact Information
- Address: 601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27110
- Phone: 336-750-2000
- Website: Visit School Website
9 Gardner-Webb University
About the School
Gardner-Webb University transitioned from a high school to Gardner-Webb College in 1942.
The school further evolved to become Gardner-Webb University in 1993.
One program offered at the university is the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration program.
The university offers the program in both the traditional format and in an online format.
Courses offered
Students who enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration program prepare students to work in a variety of criminal justice settings, including law enforcement, crime scene analysis, and criminal investigations.
Students also can apply to federal agencies such as the FBI or the Department of Homeland Security.
The courses that students complete in the program include Public Safety Theory and Research, Criminal Investigation, International Issues in Public Safety, and Trends in Criminal Justice.
Students choose their 15 credits of electives from courses such as American Corrections, Homeland Security, Terrorism, and Intelligence, and Civil Liability for Public Service Officials.
Contact Information
- Address: 110 South Main St., Boiling Springs, NC 28017
- Phone: 704-406-4000
- Website: Visit School Website
10 Appalachian State University
About the School
Appalachian State University, referred to as App State, prepares students to become global citizens who embrace diversity, and who act with determination and passion to achieve their goals.
One of the programs that provides students with the skills and knowledge that they need to reach their goals is the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.
Courses offered
Students who enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program complete 120 credit hours of study. They also complete a required internship.
Some courses include The Court System, Corrections, Writing in Criminal Justice, Introduction to Policing, and Theories of Crime and Justice. Students choose their elective courses from options such as American Legal Systems, Forensic Investigation, and Innocence in the Criminal Justice System.
There is one required diversity course, with students choosing from courses such as Injustice in America, The Death Penalty, and Crime and Culture.
Appalachian State University also offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – International Studies program.
Students complete their criminal justice classes, and also complete courses that have an international focus.
Some examples include courses in languages, international politics, and religion.
Contact Information
- Address: 287 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28608
- Phone: 828-262-2000
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Criminal Justice Salary Information
The salary that a criminal justice earns in North Carolina depends on factors such as the amount of experience that the person has and the specific type of criminal justice setting where they work.
A person who just graduated with a criminal justice degree and who has no prior work experience in the field will not earn as much as someone who has years of experience working in criminal justice.
The median salary for a criminal justice professional who works in North Carolina is $48,322.
Compare the median salary for the state to a criminal justice professional who works in Asheville, which has a median salary of $46,270.
A criminal justice specialist who works in Brunswick earns a median salary of $46,011, while a criminal justice professional who works in Saratoga earns a median salary of $48,709.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$55K |
|
$73K |
|
$81K |
Average Salary in North Carolina
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $74,676 |
| Raleigh | $74,510 |
| Greensboro | $73,056 |
| Durham | $74,065 |
| Winston-Salem | $73,310 |
| Fayetteville | $70,145 |
| Cary | $74,510 |
| High Point | $73,493 |
| Wilmington | $70,412 |
| Asheville | $70,269 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 140 | $63,550 | $30.55 | $109,120 | $45,330 |
| Burlington, NC | 50 | $54,590 | $26.25 | $67,430 | $41,730 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 520 | $81,170 | $39.03 | $147,800 | $48,800 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 200 | $59,170 | $28.45 | $70,790 | $48,040 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 80 | $82,130 | $39.48 | $143,230 | $45,990 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 50 | $50,500 | $24.28 | $63,340 | $40,960 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 220 | $71,670 | $34.46 | $137,610 | $41,610 |
| Greenville, NC | 40 | $65,190 | $31.34 | $79,480 | $46,220 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 120 | $50,910 | $24.48 | $63,540 | $43,740 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 90 | $78,560 | $37.77 | $121,890 | $49,840 |
| New Bern, NC | 50 | $57,710 | $27.74 | $99,200 | $37,350 |
| Raleigh, NC | 550 | $74,280 | $35.71 | $130,960 | $44,790 |
| Wilmington, NC | 160 | $73,170 | $35.18 | $137,610 | $49,540 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 140 | $54,980 | $26.43 | $74,070 | $36,500 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Criminal Justice Schools by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
I’ve been researching schools for my criminal justice degree, and this list is incredibly helpful.
Kudos to these schools for their commitment to excellence in criminal justice education. Proud to be associated with such esteemed institutions.
Impressive lineup! Choosing the right school is crucial for a successful career in criminal justice, and these institutions offer top-notch programs.