Virginia has 46 ranked programs at 40 schools. On this ranking of criminal justice schools in Virginia, George Mason University is first for a bachelor’s degree. A resident pays $13,815 a year in tuition and fees, and 328 students earned the degree in 2023-24.
Best Criminal Justice Schools in Virginia for a Bachelor’s Degree
The bachelor’s programs in Virginia are measured against every ranked bachelor’s program in the country: cost (22%), graduate earnings (22%), completion (17%), online experience (17%), track record (11%) and program reputation (11%). 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. How the scores work. The first 5 have cards below, and 13 more follow in a table.
George Mason University’s Criminology, Law and Society degrees in Fairfax, Virginia study the justice system through law enforcement, the courts and corrections, offer an optional Criminal Justice concentration, and the BA can be completed fully online.
120 credits minimum for the BA or BS
The BA is offered fully online through Mason Online
An optional Criminal Justice concentration is available
Radford University offers its criminal justice major as a B.A. or a B.S., taught in person at its main campus in Radford, Virginia, and students can earn up to 15 credit hours through optional internships.
120 credits for either the B.A. or the B.S.
Classes are taught in person
The program page lists the main campus in Radford, Virginia as its location
Internships are optional and can earn up to 15 credit hours
A grade of C- or higher is required in all CRJU courses
Read more
Both degrees require 120 credits. The major has a 24-credit core of Introduction to Criminal Justice, Courts and the Criminal Process, Police and Society, Corrections, Diversity Issues in the Criminal Justice System, Crime and Criminal Behavior, Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Critical Perspectives in Criminal Justice, plus 12 credits of further CRJU courses and 12 credits of outside coursework in American government, psychology, sociology and statistics. The B.A. adds the university's language requirement, while the B.S. adds six to eight credit hours of R-designated courses outside CRJU. The program page lists the format as in person.
Radford gives direct admission to first-year applicants who submit a high school transcript, hold a 3.0 cumulative GPA and have completed 3 college prep math courses. A letter grade of C- or higher is required in every CRJU course, internships are optional, and majors can work toward an accelerated master's degree.
Liberty University offers its Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice both 100% online in 8-week courses and as a residential degree in Lynchburg, Virginia, and its catalog shows which specializations run in each format.
120 credit hours
Offered 100% online in 8-week courses or as a residential program in Lynchburg, Virginia
VCU's Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, taught in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, offers a justice concentration and a forensic crime scene investigation concentration built around crime scene evidence and violent crime scene investigation courses.
120 credits minimum
Concentrations in justice and in forensic crime scene investigation
At least 39 credits come from criminal justice courses
Accelerated paths lead to an M.S. in criminal justice, an M.P.A. or an M.A. in homeland security
Read more
The B.S. requires a minimum of 120 credits, including 39 credits in criminal justice courses and 45 credits in classes at the 300 level and above. The core covers Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Corrections, Introduction to Policing, Courts and Sentencing, Ethics and Decision-making in Criminal Justice, Criminological Theory, Research Methods in Criminal Justice and a Senior Seminar. The forensic crime scene investigation concentration adds Principles of Criminal Investigation, Criminalistics and Crime Analysis, Crime Scene Evidence: Law and Trial Procedure and Violent Crime Scene Investigation, while the justice concentration is meant for students who want a broad theoretical and practical education in the field.
VCU admits first-year students through the Common App, and no more than half of the criminal justice courses applied to the major can be transferred from another college. Qualified students can begin accelerated master's study in criminal justice, public administration or homeland security and emergency preparedness during the senior year. VCU says its undergraduate and graduate criminal justice programs earned a gold-level endorsement from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
The University of Management and Technology in Arlington, Virginia delivers its Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice entirely online, with an optional Homeland Security major.
120 credit hours, 60 at the upper level
Fully online
Admission requires a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
An optional Homeland Security major is available
Read more
The BSCJ requires 120 credit hours, 60 of them at the upper level, including at least 30 credit hours of general education and 30 credit hours of criminal justice core courses: Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Juvenile Justice, Introduction to Criminal Law, Introduction to Law Enforcement, Introduction to Corrections, Criminology, Introduction to Forensic Science, Criminal Courts System, Criminal Procedure and Criminal Justice Management. An optional Homeland Security major adds courses in terrorism and counterterrorism, emergency preparedness, international relations and critical incident response. UMT says the program can be completed fully online, with all of its criminal justice programs delivered through online distance education.
Applicants to UMT's bachelor's programs need a high school diploma, GED or equivalent, and undergraduate programs may accept up to 75% of their credits in transfer. UMT says its criminal justice programs are designed for working professionals, naming current or aspiring law enforcement professionals, military-affiliated students, veterans and first responders among the students they serve, and military, veteran and first responder students pay a lower tuition rate.
umtweb.edu
Bachelor’s Programs Ranked 6-18 in Virginia
Bachelor’s programs in criminal justice ranked 6 to 18 in Virginia
Rank and school
In-state tuition and fees, a year
Completion
Graduates
Score
6
Longwood University Farmville, VA
$15,200
58%
31
53.4
7
Strayer University-Virginia Arlington, VA
$13,920
36%
40
53.1
8
Marymount University Arlington, VA
$38,250
61%
24
51.5
9
ECPI University Virginia Beach, VA
$18,484
55%
55
49.4
10
Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
$36,028
65%
19
47.7
11
Bluefield University Bluefield, VA
$29,696
49%
25
41.3
12
Hampton University Hampton, VA
$29,162
53%
23
41.0
13
Ferrum College Ferrum, VA
$38,320
75%
11
39.5
14
Averett University Danville, VA
$38,550
58%
21
39.5
15
Virginia State University Petersburg, VA
$9,755
44%
56
38.8
16
Regent University Virginia Beach, VA
$20,686
36%
12
36.1
17
Roanoke College Salem, VA
$36,774
56%
17
33.6
18
Virginia Wesleyan University Virginia Beach, VA
$36,960
40%
14
26.5
Tuition and fees are 2023-24 IPEDS figures; school prices were read between October 7, 2026 and October 14, 2026.
Associate Degree Programs in Virginia
If you’re starting with an associate degree, criminal justice schools in Virginia give you 20 associate’s programs to compare, against 18 for a bachelor’s. A resident pays a median $4,941 a year in tuition and fees, close to the national median of $4,853. Liberty University leads the list, and it conferred 61 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 17 more follow in a table.
Liberty University offers its Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice both 100% online in 8-week courses and as a residential program in Lynchburg, Virginia, and applies a biblical worldview to the study of criminal justice.
60 credit hours online
Offered 100% online in 8-week courses or as a residential program in Lynchburg, Virginia
Northern Virginia Community College's Criminology and Criminal Justice, A.S. is a transfer degree offered on its campuses and through NOVA Online, and its Criminal Justice, A.A.S., which has a homeland security specialization, builds an entry-level foundation in criminal justice and security administration.
The A.S. takes 60 credits and the A.A.S. 64-65 credits
The A.S. is offered on NOVA's campuses and online
The A.S. is designed to transfer especially well to George Mason University
The A.A.S. has a homeland security specialization
Read more
Both associate degrees are listed at two years. The 60-credit Criminology and Criminal Justice, A.S. pairs courses such as Survey of Criminal Justice and Criminology with general education and is designed to transfer to a four-year college or university, especially George Mason University; NOVA lists it at its campuses and online. The Criminal Justice, A.A.S. takes 64-65 credits, and most of its ADJ courses are core courses that give a basic entry-level foundation in both criminal justice and security administration, with course options at several points in the curriculum; NOVA lists the A.A.S. and its homeland security specialization at its campuses.
NOVA admits students who have a high school diploma or the equivalent, or who are at least 18 and can benefit academically as shown by assessment in reading, writing and mathematics; the homeland security specialization also asks for satisfactory placement scores in English and mathematics. NOVA advises that many criminal justice and security agencies require excellent moral character and a written record of conduct before considering applicants for employment. Courses from NOVA's one-year criminal justice certificate, which is also offered online, can be applied to the A.A.S.
Tidewater Community College's Criminal Justice, Associate of Applied Science offers specialized focus areas in law enforcement, criminology and corrections, and the college offers it at its campuses and online.
61 credits over four semesters
Offered at four campuses and online
Specializations in forensic science, homeland security and public law
Articulation agreements with colleges and universities for transfer
Read more
The 61-credit degree is laid out over four semesters in the college's catalog. Its criminal justice courses include ADJ 100 Survey of Criminal Justice, ADJ 110 Introduction to Law Enforcement, ADJ 201 Criminology, ADJ 211 Criminal Law, Evidence and Procedures I and ADJ 236 Principles of Criminal Investigation, and the final semester includes ADJ 299 Supervised Study in Criminal Justice. The college lists four campuses and online among the locations for the degree.
The college also offers the degree with a specialization in forensic science, homeland security or public law. General admission to the college is open to applicants with a high school diploma or the equivalent, or who are 18 or older and able to benefit from a program of study. The catalog says the college has formal articulation agreements with colleges and universities for students who want to continue beyond the associate degree.
catalog.tcc.edu
Associate Programs Ranked 4-20 in Virginia
Associate degree programs in criminal justice ranked 4 to 20 in Virginia
Rank and school
In-state tuition and fees, a year
Completion
Graduates
Score
4
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond, VA
$5,136
24%
9
50.8
5
Mountain Empire Community College Big Stone Gap, VA
$4,863
41%
19
49.0
6
Wytheville Community College Wytheville, VA
$4,863
47%
14
46.6
7
Patrick & Henry Community College Martinsville, VA
$4,858
34%
10
44.2
8
Southwest Virginia Community College Cedar Bluff, VA
$4,901
28%
20
43.9
9
Germanna Community College Locust Grove, VA
$5,066
29%
14
43.2
10
New River Community College Dublin, VA
$4,835
21%
16
41.4
11
Central Virginia Community College Lynchburg, VA
$4,998
28%
5
40.6
12
Piedmont Virginia Community College Charlottesville, VA
$4,928
32%
5
40.1
13
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave, VA
$5,502
32%
8
39.8
14
Virginia Highlands Community College Abingdon, VA
$4,863
29%
6
38.6
15
Virginia Peninsula Community College Hampton, VA
$4,944
18%
8
35.6
16
Virginia Western Community College Roanoke, VA
$5,256
37%
6
35.3
17
Southside Virginia Community College Alberta, VA
$4,848
25%
7
34.9
18
Danville Community College Danville, VA
$4,848
30%
9
33.8
19
Brightpoint Community College Chester, VA
$4,938
26%
27
28.8
20
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, VA
$17,957
30%
6
12.0
Tuition and fees are 2023-24 IPEDS figures; school prices were read between October 7, 2026 and October 14, 2026.
Criminal Justice Master’s Programs in Virginia
You can compare 8 ranked master’s programs at criminal justice schools in Virginia, led by Liberty University at $8,340 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 $7,110 to $22,612 a year, with a median of $14,939 that is $3,506 above the $11,433 national median.
Master’s programs in criminal justice ranked in Virginia
Rank and school
In-state tuition and fees, a year
Completion
Graduates
Score
1
Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
$8,340
44%
391
65.2
2
University of Management and Technology Arlington, VA
$7,110
61%
7
56.0
3
University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
$22,612
84%
109
51.2
4
Radford University Radford, VA
$13,342
69%
5
50.5
5
George Mason University Fairfax, VA
$17,446
75%
30
49.6
6
Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
$16,753
67%
12
45.4
7
Norfolk State University Norfolk, VA
$13,068
43%
8
32.3
8
South University-Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, VA
$16,536
33%
5
25.0
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 Virginia
Online study is an option at criminal justice schools in Virginia: 8 programs rank on the national online lists (3 at the associate’s level, 3 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. At the bachelor’s level, Liberty University is 18th among 187 ranked online bachelor’s programs, the best placed of the 3 online bachelor’s programs at schools in Virginia.
Online criminal justice programs from schools in Virginia, 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 Virginia
Your price depends on the school: $9,450 a year at University of Management and Technology, $38,550 at Averett University, both in tuition and required fees for a bachelor’s degree. Set against the $14,184 national median for ranked bachelor’s programs, the median in Virginia, $19,585, is $5,401 above.
Ranked criminal justice programs in Virginia: tuition and graduation rate by level
Level
Ranked programs
Median tuition and fees, a year
Lowest to highest
Median graduation rate
Bachelor’s programs
18
$19,585
$9,450 to $38,550
55%
Associate’s programs
20
$4,941
$4,835 to $17,957
39%
Master’s programs
8
$14,939
$7,110 to $22,612
By type of school, the median bachelor’s program charges $13,815 at public colleges, $36,401 at private nonprofit colleges and $13,920 at for-profit colleges.
Where you live matters at George Mason University: it charges $37,979 a year to students from out of state, $24,164 more than a resident pays.
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 Virginia Requires to Become a Police Officer
Virginia requires a high school education or a passing score on an approved high school equivalency examination. That minimum comes from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
“(iii) have a high school education or have passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education”
Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), Code of Virginia section 15.2-1705, read October 7, 2026: law.lis.virginia.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.
Criminal Justice Jobs and Pay in Virginia
BLS puts Virginia’s patrol officer (SOC 33-3051) median at $65,870, $10,340 below the $76,210 national figure. That is the 37th highest of the 51 states and districts BLS reports, and 19,970 people hold the job. The lowest-paid tenth earn $50,000 or less, and the highest-paid tenth earn $96,820 or more.
Of the four jobs, detectives and criminal investigators (SOC 33-3021) earn the most in Virginia, at a median $112,760, and correctional officers and jailers (SOC 33-3012) the least, at $50,140. Against the national medians, Virginia pays more for detectives and criminal investigators and less for patrol officers, probation officers and correctional treatment specialists and correctional officers and jailers; the widest gap is for detectives and criminal investigators (SOC 33-3021), $18,970 above the national median of $93,790.
Median annual pay for four criminal justice jobs in Virginia 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 Virginia
What Are the Best Criminal Justice Schools in Virginia?
George Mason University ranks first for a bachelor’s degree, ahead of Radford University and Liberty University; Virginia has 18 ranked bachelor’s programs in all. For an associate degree, Liberty University leads 20 ranked associate’s programs in Virginia. For a master’s degree, Liberty University leads 8 ranked master’s programs in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
Expect these medians as a resident at criminal justice schools in Virginia, for tuition and required fees across 2023-24: $4,941 at the associate’s programs ($4,835 to $17,957), $19,585 at the bachelor’s programs ($9,450 to $38,550) and $14,939 at the master’s programs ($7,110 to $22,612). The national median for a ranked bachelor’s program is $14,184.
What Does Virginia Require of New Police Officers?
A degree is not part of the minimum the rule sets. Virginia requires a high school education or a passing score on an approved high school equivalency examination. A degree is not a peace officer license, and departments can ask for more than the minimum. Read how every state and district handles police education to see where this rule sits.
What Do Police Officers Earn in Virginia?
May 2025 BLS data give a $65,870 median for patrol officers (SOC 33-3051) in Virginia, $10,340 below the national median of $76,210. Related jobs there pay a median as follows: detectives and criminal investigators (SOC 33-3021) earn $112,760 and correctional officers and jailers (SOC 33-3012) $50,140.
Can You Earn a Criminal Justice Degree Online From a School in Virginia?
Yes. 8 programs at 5 schools in Virginia rank on the national online lists, and the online table above shows the highest-placed programs at each level with the price an online student from another state pays.
Other Criminal Justice Schools in Virginia
Every other one of the criminal justice schools in Virginia that conferred a criminal justice degree in 2023-24 is below, 3 in all, ordered by degrees conferred. The most common level here is the associate’s, conferred by 2. 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 Virginia with criminal justice degrees, by degrees conferred
School
Type
Degrees conferred, 2023-24
In-state tuition and fees, a year
Graduation rate
Paul D Camp Community College Franklin, VA
Public
Associate’s 3
$4,868
22%
Rappahannock Community College Glenns, VA
Public
Associate’s 1
$4,958
40%
South University-Richmond Glen Allen, VA
Private for-profit
Bachelor’s 1
$16,452
21%
Tuition and fees are 2023-24 IPEDS figures; school prices were read between October 7, 2026 and October 14, 2026.
More State Pages to Compare With Virginia
These state pages come next: the first two share the South with Virginia, and each tile carries one figure from its state.
Sources for the Virginia 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.
