Best Criminal Justice Schools in Washington

ASO Staff Writers
By
Updated on May 10, 2023

Academic and Professional Resources in Washington for Criminal Justice Students

Start making changes in your career and your community with a degree from a criminal justice school in Washington. Employers in every corner of Washington, from Spokane to Walla Walla to the Olympic Peninsula, are looking for qualified individuals with strong backgrounds in criminal justice. A degree from a criminal justice school in Washington can help new applicants stand out and can improve a current employee’s qualifications and performance. Continue reading to learn what schools best fit your needs and to explore the different career fields available.

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WASHINGTON’S BEST CRIMINAL JUSTICE SCHOOLS

The criminal justice field encompasses a wide variety of professions that call for different academic requirements. To help students narrow down this search and find the best school or program for them, we have ranked schools across the country based on a variety of current criteria important to students, such as up-to-date tuition costs, total enrollment, student-to-teacher ratio, and acceptance rates. Explore the top-ranking criminal justice schools and programs for 2017 here.

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
#1 Best Criminal Justice Schools in Washington

Washington State University

  • Location-markerPullman, WA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

Washington State University supports flexible educational opportunities for undergraduate students. The Pullman-based school supports hybrid learning opportunities, with in-person and online programs. The college campus and online learning environment enable students to connect with peers, faculty, and staff during their studies.

Upon enrolling in the bachelor's in criminal justice program, students connect with a supportive learning community. Degree-seekers complete major-specific coursework as part of the curriculum. Learners engage foundational and advanced concepts throughout interactive study, gaining practical knowledge.

Students can select electives, concentrations, and minors. A leader in student success, the college connects enrollees with career services, academic advising, and other supportive resources.

Eligible enrollees can apply for scholarships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities. The average enrollee receives $8,011 in financial aid.

Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,953
  • Out-of-state$24,531
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$11,493
  • Out-of-state$25,248
  • Retention Rate79%
  • Acceptance Rate76%
  • Students Enrolled31,607
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment21%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best Criminal Justice Schools in Washington

Seattle University

  • Location-markerSeattle, WA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

Students seeking a flexible education can explore Seattle University's in-person and online degrees. Enrollees pursuing a bachelor of arts in criminal justice connect with premier faculty and benefit from a supportive learning community.

Degree candidates gain skills and knowledge through classes, lectures, and experiential learning opportunities. Students can work with an academic advisor to customize their degree. Learners receive guidance throughout their studies through academic advising, career services, and other resources.

Prospective applicants can inquire with the financial aid office about funding opportunities. Options may include scholarships, fellowships, and other aid. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$45,765
  • Out-of-state$45,765
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$19,280
  • Out-of-state$19,280
  • Retention Rate88%
  • Acceptance Rate78%
  • Students Enrolled7,199
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment4%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best Criminal Justice Schools in Washington

Saint Martin's University

  • Location-markerLacey, WA
  • 4 year
  • Campus

Saint Martin's University, a private college in Lacey, provides flexible study options for undergraduate students near and far. Learners can choose from 28 in-person bachelor's degrees. Enrollees pursuing the bachelor of arts in criminology and criminal justice learn from premier faculty and benefit from a supportive learning community.

Students gain skills and knowledge through their coursework, becoming better prepared for their future careers. Depending on their career goals, learners can declare a double major, minor, or degree concentration. Degree-seekers can receive further guidance through academic advising, career services, and other resources.

Students can meet with a financial aid counselor to determine their eligibility for funding and explore scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of aid. The college reports that 98% of all learners receive some form of aid.

Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$38,150
  • Out-of-state$38,150
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$15,300
  • Out-of-state$15,300
  • Retention Rate78%
  • Acceptance Rate96%
  • Students Enrolled1,629
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment19%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best Criminal Justice Schools in Washington

Heritage University

  • Location-markerToppenish, WA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

Heritage University supports flexible educational opportunities for students near and far. Undergraduate learners can choose from in-person and remote degrees. To date, the school offers 36 bachelor’s programs, with one option running entirely online.

Students pursuing a bachelor's in criminal justice join a supportive learning community, working alongside peers, faculty, and staff. Enrollees build competency through rigorous coursework and industry-relevant lectures. Participants take foundational and advanced coursework, with the option to modify their schedule and choose electives.

Degree candidates work with an academic advisor and customize their degree to meet their academic and career goals. Students seeking further academic and career guidance can access numerous institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising.

The college connects learners with a variety of funding opportunities to defray educational costs. Of all enrollees, 100% receive some form of financial aid.

Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$17,988
  • Out-of-state$17,988
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,336
  • Out-of-state$9,336
  • Retention Rate74%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled971
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment4%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best Criminal Justice Schools in Washington

City University of Seattle

  • Location-markerSeattle, WA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

City University of Seattle supports flexible educational opportunities for students near and far. Undergraduate students can choose from in-person and remote degrees. One option includes a bachelor of science in criminal justice. The college campus and online learning environment enable learners to connect with peers, faculty, and staff during their studies.

As part of the program curriculum, enrollees complete foundational and advanced coursework. They also attend industry-relevant lectures, gaining a well-rounded education.

Degree candidates can work with their academic advisor to modify their studies, select electives, and pursue additional coursework that suits their career goals. Enrollees can connect with institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising, to receive further guidance.

Learners can meet with a financial aid counselor to determine their eligibility for scholarships, fellowships, and federal financial aid. 

Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$13,120
  • Out-of-state$13,120
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$11,430
  • Out-of-state$11,430
  • Retention RateN/A
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled1,960
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment80%
  • AccreditationYes

PREVALENT WASHINGTON CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAREERS

A degree in criminal justice can help you join a variety of careers in Washington, from vital law-enforcement jobs to fields related to the function of the state’s court system. Start exploring your options by looking at the most popular jobs in Washington’s criminal justice fields; the table below shows some of these careers with along with the number of individuals working in Washington, the median salary, and the degree level typically required.

SIDE BY SIDE: HOW WASHINGTON COMPARES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAREERS

Criminal justice graduates in Washington are greeted with an exceptionally strong job market in a large range of careers. Indeed, Forbes named Washington the second-best state to make a living in for 2015. That comes as no surprise when you consider that many Washington careers have annual salaries and growth rates above the national average.

Salary

JobNationalWashington
Police, Sheriff’s Patrol Officers62,76076,340
Correctional Officers46,75052,930
Fire Inspectors and Investigators61,66087,690
Paralegals53,18059,590
Detectives, Criminal Investigators81,49083,050
Transit and Railroad Police47,61067,850
Judicial Law Clerks58,92059,840
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers93,140100,120
Bailiffs45,74052,170

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015

Job Growth

JobNationalWashington
Court Reporters0.0150.242
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks0.0450.138
Police, Sheriff’s Patrol Officers0.050.11
Private Detectives and Investigators0.0110.081
Paralegals and Legal Assistants0.0760.084
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers-0.0360.025
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists0.0110.066
Lawyers0.0560.095
Judges, Magistrates, and Magistrates0.0060.106
Animal Control Workers0.0580.167

Source: Projections Central, 2015

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WITH A CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEGREE IN WASHINGTON

Criminal justice graduates have a wide range of options in Washington state for potential careers, from patrol officers on quiet streets of Davenport to paralegals in downtown Seattle. Some of these careers are on the protective services side, while others are more closely involved with the court system. Overall, there are a variety of ways to put a criminal justice degree to work in Washington.

LARGEST AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT IN DESCENDING ORDER

Protective service

Seattle-Bellevue

Vancouver

Tacoma-Lakewood

Spokane-Spokane Valley

Southwest Washington nonmetropolitan area

Legal service

Seattle-Bellevue

Vancouver

Tacoma-Lakewood

Spokane-Spokane Valley

Olympia-Tumwater

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN WASHINGTON

BUSINESS COMPLIANCE RESOURCES

CORRECTIONAL RESOURCES

COURT & JUDICIAL RESOURCES

LEGAL RESOURCES

LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES

WILDLIFE & ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES