North Carolina requires a bachelor’s degree for probation and parole officers. On this ranking of criminal justice schools in North Carolina, Western Carolina University is first for a bachelor’s degree. A resident pays $4,532 a year in tuition and fees, and 139 students earned the degree in 2023-24. In total North Carolina has 82 ranked programs: 44 associate’s, 31 bachelor’s and 7 master’s.
Best Criminal Justice Schools in North Carolina for a Bachelor’s Degree
You’re comparing 31 ranked bachelor’s programs in North Carolina. Each is scored on cost (22%), graduate earnings (22%), completion (17%), online experience (17%), track record (11%) and program reputation (11%), with the price at the in-state rate. Each score is the program’s national score on the price a resident pays, so it matches the program’s score on the national list. The methodology page explains each factor. The first 5 have cards below, and 26 more follow in a table.
Western Carolina University runs its Criminal Justice, B.S. as a residential program and as an online program for transfer students with criminal justice work experience, which carries an Administration of Justice concentration for distance learning students.
120 semester hours
Residential or online
The online program requires one year of documented criminal justice experience
Appalachian State University teaches its Criminal Justice (BSCJ) on the Boone, North Carolina and Hickory, North Carolina campuses, and App State Online offers a fully online version as a degree-completion program for students with at least 24 semester credit hours of transfer credit.
The campus degree is offered in Boone, North Carolina and Hickory, North Carolina
App State Online's BSCJ is fully online and requires 120 total credits
Online admission requires at least 24 semester credit hours of transfer credit and a 2.25 GPA
The campus major requires a minor
Read more
The campus BSCJ major requires a minor. App State Online's BSCJ requires 120 total credits: 41 hours of general education, 3 hours of a Foundations of American Democracy course, 64 to 65 hours of major requirements, 9 hours of criminal justice electives and 14 to 15 hours of general electives. Its listed required courses include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Intro to Policing, The Court System, Corrections, Writing in Criminal Justice, Research Methods, Theories of Crime and Justice and Criminal Law, and online Flight Path students complete a 12-credit, full-time internship, or a practicum if they have worked at a criminal justice agency for at least one year. A separate Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice-International Studies, listed at the Boone, North Carolina campus, adds internationally focused courses in political science, religion and languages and does not require a minor.
The online BSCJ is a Flight Path program for returning adult learners and is open only to students finishing a degree: App State Online requires at least 24 semester credit hours of transfer credit and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.25, runs courses in a condensed format and offers multiple eight-week term starts. App State notes that North Carolina's Basic Law Enforcement Training is completed after graduation and before appointment as a sworn officer.
UNC Charlotte offers its Criminal Justice, B.A. on campus and fully online with the same curriculum, and the major includes a required crime analytics course.
120 credit hours, 40 in the major
The degree is offered online and on the Charlotte, North Carolina campus
The online program admits students in spring, summer and fall
Applicants with fewer than 24 transferable credit hours should apply for the on-campus program
Read more
The degree is 120 credit hours with 40 in the major: required courses in the foundations of criminal justice, professionalism in criminal justice and criminology, criminological theory and research methods, plus one of STAT 1222, 1221 or 1220, one crime analytics course, one Engagement Across Perspectives course and 21 hours of criminal justice electives. Courses on offer include Introduction to Courts, Introduction to Corrections, Introduction to Law Enforcement, Criminal Procedure, Juvenile Justice and Geospatial Analytics and Crime. The online version is delivered 100% online with the same curriculum as the campus degree and admits students in spring, summer and fall.
Students declare the major after earning a C or better in Foundations of Criminal Justice within two attempts and holding at least a 2.0 GPA. UNC Charlotte says prospective students with fewer than 24 transferable credit hours should apply for the on-campus program and can submit a change of major request after earning a total of 24. Transfer students with an A.A.S. degree in a criminal justice related discipline may be awarded up to 15 semester hours of criminal justice credit.
North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina lists its criminal justice B.S. and its 16-week online B.S. as one catalog program, and adds an accelerated 8-week online plan for students transferring from a North Carolina community college.
120 credit hours
The criminal justice core totals 38 semester hours
Online in 16-week and 8-week accelerated formats
The accelerated plan takes students with up to 64 credit hours from a North Carolina community college articulation agreement
Students admitted Fall 2023 and after take 12 hours of electives instead of a concentration
$183.73 a credit, in-state rate
Read more
The B.S. requires a minimum of 120 semester hours, including a criminal justice core of 38 semester hours: Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Policing, Introduction to Corrections, Introduction to Juvenile Justice, Criminology, Ethics in Criminal Justice, Professional Development in Criminal Justice, Research Methods and Statistical Methods in Criminal Justice, Criminal Law, Procedure and Court Processes, a Criminal Justice Practicum and a Senior Seminar. Students add 12 hours of criminal justice or homeland security electives such as Jail Policy and Practice, Corrections in the Community, Police Management Theory and Infrastructure Protection; the catalog says students admitted Fall 2023 and after take those electives instead of a concentration, and the last 30 semester hours must be completed at NCCU. The Department of Criminal Justice offers the program online in 16-week and 8-week accelerated formats.
A student who plans to major in criminal justice must complete at least 18 credit hours of course work with a grade of C or higher, and hold an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher, before being admitted to the department. The accelerated 8-week online plan is for students with up to 64 earned credit hours from a North Carolina community college articulation agreement and an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The department says it seeks to educate traditional students as well as people already working in the criminal justice field, and NCCU Online lists a minimum GPA of 2.25 for a first degree and 2.0 for a second degree.
nccu.edu
Bachelor’s Programs Ranked 6-30 in North Carolina
Bachelor’s programs in criminal justice ranked 6 to 30 in North Carolina
Rank and school
In-state tuition and fees, a year
Completion
Graduates
Score
6
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC
$3,969
54%
82
63.2
7
Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC
$6,735
64%
36
63.1
8
North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC
$6,748
56%
133
60.5
9
Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC
$3,412
44%
40
54.8
10
Greensboro College Greensboro, NC
$20,400
72%
9
47.3
11
University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, NC
$25,950
64%
19
47.0
12
Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs, NC
$33,450
55%
26
44.3
13
Carolina University Winston-Salem, NC
$16,000
42%
8
43.4
14
Barton College Wilson, NC
$35,600
69%
12
43.4
15
Lees-McRae College Banner Elk, NC
$31,740
76%
19
41.9
16
North Carolina Wesleyan University Rocky Mount, NC
$35,536
72%
46
40.5
17
High Point University High Point, NC
$44,208
46%
44
38.7
18
Belmont Abbey College Belmont, NC
$19,500
35%
20
36.8
19
Campbell University Buies Creek, NC
$40,410
47%
15
35.4
20
Wingate University Wingate, NC
$41,731
48%
18
34.7
21
Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory, NC
$30,900
51%
14
32.8
22
Pfeiffer University Misenheimer, NC
$33,930
54%
15
30.4
23
Montreat College Montreat, NC
$33,860
49%
6
30.3
24
Shaw University Raleigh, NC
$17,272
44%
16
27.6
25
Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NC
$16,896
35%
16
27.0
26
Methodist University Fayetteville, NC
$39,664
37%
10
26.4
27
Brevard College Brevard, NC
$31,250
51%
24
25.6
28
Guilford College Greensboro, NC
$41,140
45%
17
25.5
29
Chowan University Murfreesboro, NC
$27,110
39%
20
19.9
30
Mars Hill University Mars Hill, NC
$37,270
51%
18
19.0
Tuition and fees are 2023-24 IPEDS figures; school prices were read between October 7, 2026 and October 14, 2026.
Programs ranked 31 and lower appear in the directory at the end of the page.
Associate Degree Programs in North Carolina
If you’re starting with an associate degree, criminal justice schools in North Carolina give you 44 associate’s programs to compare, against 31 for a bachelor’s. Tuition and fees run a median $2,568 a year for a resident, $2,285 below the $4,853 median for ranked associate’s programs nationally. Stanly Community College leads the list, and it conferred 20 criminal justice degrees in 2023-24. Completion runs lower at two-year schools because many students transfer or study part time, so associate’s programs are scored only against other associate’s programs. The first 3 have cards, and 41 more follow in a table.
Stanly Community College's Criminal Justice Technology Degree, which the college lists among the associate degrees students can complete online, covers local, state and federal law enforcement, judicial processes, corrections and security services, and the catalog sets out a part-time pathway alongside its plan of study.
The degree totals 65-66 credit hours
Criminal Justice is listed among Stanly's online associate degrees
Admission requires a high school diploma, a GED or an adult high school diploma
Students need a C or higher, or an S, in every course to progress
A part-time pathway is available
Read more
The degree totals 65-66 credit hours. Its plan of study includes Introduction to Criminal Justice, Juvenile Justice, Criminal Law, Criminology, Corrections, Crisis Intervention, Criminalistics, Court Procedure & Evidence, Ethics & Community Relations, Organization & Administration, Constitutional Law, Substance Abuse and Investigative Principles, and students choose a major elective such as Computer Crime Investigation, Law Enforcement Operations, Civil Liability or Work-Based Learning. Stanly lists Criminal Justice among the associate degrees on its online learning page, and the catalog also lays out a part-time pathway.
Admission requires an application, an official high school transcript showing completion of a diploma (a GED certificate with a passing score or an adult high school diploma is accepted instead), official transcripts from any other college for transfer credit, and placement testing unless the applicant is exempt. Students must earn a C or higher, or an S, in every course to progress, and the catalog notes that the AAS degree might not be fully transferable to some universities, although Stanly criminal justice graduates have continued their studies at universities in North Carolina and around the country.
Wake Tech's Criminal Justice Technology AAS covers local, state and federal law enforcement, judicial processes, corrections and security services, and the program's FAQ says its format is 100% online.
64 semester credit hours
The department's FAQ says the format is 100% online
Admission to associate degree programs requires a high school diploma or equivalent
Sworn police officers can receive up to 18 semester credit hours toward the degree
$4,864 for the program, in-state rate
Read more
The Criminal Justice Technology AAS is a 64-credit degree whose courses focus on local, state and federal law enforcement, judicial processes, corrections and security services, with emphasis on criminal justice systems, criminology, juvenile justice, criminal and constitutional law, investigative principles, ethics and community relations; additional study may include government, counseling, communications, computers and technology. Wake Tech's program page lists on-campus, fully online and in-person/online hybrid learning formats, and the department's FAQ says the format is 100% online for this degree. Classes follow a fall and spring semester schedule, with a limited number offered in the summer term.
Wake Tech is subject to the Open-Door Admission Policy established by the State Board of Community Colleges, and its catalog lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the requirement for associate degree programs. The FAQ describes the program as a traditional, two-year associate degree, says sworn police officers can receive up to 18 semester credit hours toward it, and notes that graduates can transfer to four-year institutions through agreements between Wake Tech and other colleges and universities.
Blue Ridge Community College's catalog lists a fully online option for its Criminal Justice Technology Associate in Applied Science, which studies local, state and federal law enforcement, judicial processes, corrections and security services.
68 credit hours minimum
The catalog lists a fully online option
Admission requires high school graduation or the equivalent
The program articulates with Brevard College, Lees-McCrae College, Mars Hill University, NC Wesleyan College and Norwich University
Read more
Criminal Justice Technology is an Associate in Applied Science that requires at least 68 credit hours, and the college's catalog says a fully online option is available. Study focuses on local, state and federal law enforcement, judicial processes, corrections and security services, with emphasis on criminal justice systems, criminology, juvenile justice, criminal and constitutional law, investigative principles, ethics and community relations; additional studies may include government, counseling, communications, computers and technology. The catalog also outlines a version of the degree for transfer to Mars Hill University, which requires at least 67 credit hours and likewise lists a fully online option.
Blue Ridge follows the North Carolina Community College System's Open Door policy and requires high school graduation or the equivalent for admission to all degree programs, and students may need developmental math or English courses depending on their high school GPA or placement tests. Students who completed a Basic Law Enforcement Training course and passed the commission's comprehensive certificate examination receive credit for CJC 110, those who completed the Detention Officer Certification Course or the NC Department of Public Safety Basic Correctional Officer Training course receive credit for PST-124, and the program articulates with Brevard College, Lees-McCrae College, Mars Hill University, NC Wesleyan College and Norwich University.
blueridge-catalog.coursedog.com
Associate Programs Ranked 4-28 in North Carolina
Associate degree programs in criminal justice ranked 4 to 28 in North Carolina
Rank and school
In-state tuition and fees, a year
Completion
Graduates
Score
4
Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NC
$2,628
31%
65
63.1
5
Johnston Community College Smithfield, NC
$2,657
45%
15
61.0
6
Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NC
$2,256
36%
24
60.3
7
Vance-Granville Community College Henderson, NC
$1,956
38%
11
58.7
8
Robeson Community College Lumberton, NC
$2,571
43%
17
58.4
9
Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, NC
$2,319
30%
31
58.3
10
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Salisbury, NC
$2,064
34%
5
58.2
11
Brunswick Community College Bolivia, NC
$2,532
47%
7
58.0
12
Sampson Community College Clinton, NC
$3,163
48%
9
57.8
13
Carteret Community College Morehead City, NC
$2,310
43%
7
57.6
14
Davidson-Davie Community College Thomasville, NC
$2,279
39%
14
57.4
15
South Piedmont Community College Polkton, NC
$2,022
36%
10
57.1
16
Lenoir Community College Kinston, NC
$2,568
37%
10
57.1
17
Haywood Community College Clyde, NC
$2,612
43%
9
57.0
18
Cape Fear Community College Wilmington, NC
$2,748
47%
7
56.5
19
Randolph Community College Asheboro, NC
$2,416
36%
11
56.1
20
Pitt Community College Winterville, NC
$1,970
32%
23
55.3
21
Wilson Community College Wilson, NC
$2,572
35%
10
54.8
22
Mitchell Community College Statesville, NC
$2,651
33%
8
54.7
23
Alamance Community College Graham, NC
$2,498
29%
19
54.4
24
Wilkes Community College Wilkesboro, NC
$2,572
45%
11
54.3
25
James Sprunt Community College Kenansville, NC
$2,592
38%
5
54.3
26
Isothermal Community College Spindale, NC
$2,030
32%
10
54.2
27
Sandhills Community College Pinehurst, NC
$2,648
44%
11
53.9
28
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville, NC
$2,882
41%
5
53.6
Tuition and fees are 2023-24 IPEDS figures; school prices were read between October 7, 2026 and October 14, 2026.
Programs ranked 29 and lower appear in the directory at the end of the page.
Criminal Justice Master’s Programs in North Carolina
You can compare 7 ranked master’s programs at criminal justice schools in North Carolina, led by Lees-McRae College at $9,750 a year in graduate tuition and fees for a resident. The score weighs cost (22%), graduate earnings (22%), completion (17%), online experience (17%), track record (11%) and program reputation (11%). A resident’s graduate tuition and fees span $6,197 to $14,364 a year, with a median of $9,750 that is $1,683 below the $11,433 national median.
Master’s programs in criminal justice ranked in North Carolina
Rank and school
In-state tuition and fees, a year
Completion
Graduates
Score
1
Lees-McRae College Banner Elk, NC
$9,750
76%
10
58.4
2
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC
$6,197
54%
13
58.3
3
North Carolina Wesleyan University Rocky Mount, NC
$12,700
72%
21
56.5
4
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
$7,869
64%
10
55.3
5
North Carolina Central University Durham, NC
$7,480
56%
22
54.9
6
Mars Hill University Mars Hill, NC
$14,364
51%
5
34.6
7
Meredith College Raleigh, NC
$13,619
37%
5
21.0
Tuition and fees are 2023-24 IPEDS figures; school prices were read between October 7, 2026 and October 14, 2026.
Online Criminal Justice Programs in North Carolina
Online programs at criminal justice schools in North Carolina reach the national online lists 15 times, from 15 schools (5 at the associate’s level, 8 at the bachelor’s level and 2 at the master’s level). Those lists score what an online student from another state pays for a credit, so the prices below are not the in-state prices above. Western Carolina University ranks 12th of the 187 ranked online bachelor’s programs, the best placed of the 8 online bachelor’s programs at schools in North Carolina.
Online criminal justice programs from schools in North Carolina, by place on the national online lists
Cost per credit is the rate the school’s page publishes, read between October 7, 2026 and October 14, 2026, or else its 2023-24 IPEDS per-credit charge.
What Criminal Justice Degrees Cost in North Carolina
Your price depends on the school: $3,412 a year at Elizabeth City State University, $44,208 at High Point University, both in tuition and required fees for a bachelor’s degree. The state median is $25,950; the national median for ranked bachelor’s programs is $14,184, so North Carolina sits $11,766 above it.
Ranked criminal justice programs in North Carolina: tuition and graduation rate by level
Level
Ranked programs
Median tuition and fees, a year
Lowest to highest
Median graduation rate
Bachelor’s programs
31
$25,950
$3,412 to $44,208
46%
Associate’s programs
44
$2,568
$1,956 to $5,806
39%
Master’s programs
7
$9,750
$6,197 to $14,364
Who runs the program matters: the median is $6,542 at public colleges and $32,595 at private nonprofit colleges.
Prices are 2023-24 tuition and required fees for a full-time year, as each school reported them to IPEDS, before books, housing or financial aid.
What North Carolina Requires to Become a Police Officer
The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission sets the education minimum for police officers in North Carolina. North Carolina requires a high school diploma or a passing GED score. Sheriffs’ deputies fall under a separate commission.
“Be a high school graduate or have passed the General Educational Development Test indicating high school equivalency”
North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, 12 NCAC 09B .0101, read October 7, 2026: ncdoj.gov
You don’t need a degree to meet that minimum. Departments can ask for more than the state does, and BLS says the education police departments require ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. A degree is not a peace officer license: certification comes from completing a police academy and meeting the standards that apply to the agency.
Probation Officer Education Rule in North Carolina
North Carolina requires a bachelor’s degree for probation and parole officers.
“have attained a bachelor’s degree as described in 12 NCAC 09G .0204;”
North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, 12 NCAC 09G .0209, read October 7, 2026:
ncdoj.gov
Criminal Justice Jobs and Pay in North Carolina
BLS puts North Carolina’s patrol officer (SOC 33-3051) median at $59,300, $16,910 below the $76,210 national figure. That is the 42nd highest of the 51 states and districts BLS reports, and 22,370 people hold the job. The lowest-paid tenth earn $46,040 or less, and the highest-paid tenth earn $80,240 or more.
Of the four jobs, detectives and criminal investigators (SOC 33-3021) earn the most in North Carolina, at a median $63,280, and correctional officers and jailers (SOC 33-3012) the least, at $50,550. North Carolina pays below the national median for all of them; the widest gap is for detectives and criminal investigators (SOC 33-3021), $30,510 below the national median of $93,790.
Median annual pay for four criminal justice jobs in North Carolina and nationally, May 2025
Pay figures are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics medians for May 2025, each for the SOC occupation named beside it.
Questions About Criminal Justice Degrees in North Carolina
What Are the Best Criminal Justice Schools in North Carolina?
Western Carolina University ranks first for a bachelor’s degree, ahead of Appalachian State University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte; North Carolina has 31 ranked bachelor’s programs in all. For an associate degree, Stanly Community College leads 44 ranked associate’s programs in North Carolina. For a master’s degree, Lees-McRae College leads 7 ranked master’s programs in North Carolina. Each list is the national ranking at its level kept to the state’s programs, scored on cost, graduate earnings, completion, online experience, track record and program reputation, with the cost at the in-state rate.
How Much Does a Criminal Justice Degree Cost in North Carolina?
For a full-time year of tuition and required fees in 2023-24, a resident’s median at criminal justice schools in North Carolina is $2,568 at the associate’s programs ($1,956 to $5,806), $25,950 at the bachelor’s programs ($3,412 to $44,208) and $9,750 at the master’s programs ($6,197 to $14,364). The national median for a ranked bachelor’s program is $14,184.
What Does North Carolina Require of New Police Officers?
A degree is not part of the minimum the rule sets. North Carolina requires a high school diploma or a passing GED score. Sheriffs’ deputies fall under a separate commission. A degree is not a peace officer license, and departments can ask for more than the minimum. The guide to degrees and police work sets this rule beside all 47 state and district rules.
What Do Police Officers Earn in North Carolina?
May 2025 BLS data give a $59,300 median for patrol officers (SOC 33-3051) in North Carolina, $16,910 below the national median of $76,210. Related jobs there pay a median as follows: detectives and criminal investigators (SOC 33-3021) earn $63,280 and correctional officers and jailers (SOC 33-3012) $50,550.
Do You Need a Degree to Be a Probation Officer in North Carolina?
North Carolina requires a bachelor’s degree for probation and parole officers. It’s set out in 12 NCAC 09G .0209.
Other Criminal Justice Schools in North Carolina
Beyond the ranked programs above, 31 more criminal justice schools in North Carolina conferred criminal justice degrees in 2023-24. They’re listed here with the levels they confer and their federal figures, the school with the most degrees first. 27 of them confer associate’s degrees, the most common level in this list. A program needs at least five graduates at its level in 2023-24 to be ranked, so a small program appears with its figures and no score.
Other schools in North Carolina with criminal justice degrees, by degrees conferred
Montgomery Community College Troy, NCAssociate’s 1$2,53854%
More State Pages to Compare With North Carolina
Nearby pages, starting with two from the South, North Carolina’s Census region, each with a figure from its own state.
Sources for the North Carolina Figures
Awards, charges, completion and online enrollment: the Department of Education's IPEDS data:
IPEDS completions and distance education, 2023-24; IPEDS tuition and fees and per-credit charges, 2023-24; IPEDS
graduation rates; and IPEDS Outcome Measures and fall 2024 enrollment, from the 2024 provisional release.
Programs are counted under the criminal justice codes in the federal CIP 43.01 series.
Graduate earnings: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard,
field-of-study data for Criminal Justice and Corrections (CIP 43.01). Earnings are College Scorecard's median for the school's criminal justice and corrections graduates (federal field 43.01) at the level who received federal aid, four years after finishing, or one year after where that is the only figure Scorecard publishes. Scorecard reports a median only where enough graduates can be counted, and it covers every program the school reports in that field.
Program names, credit counts, formats, entry requirements and published prices: each school's own program pages, read between October 7, 2026 and October 14, 2026.
