Criminal justice programs
913 schools across 51 states teach police academy & criminal justice. Police officers in the U.S. earn a median $76,210 a year, according to the BLS. Narrow it down by location, then compare programs side by side.
- Schools
- 913
- States
- 51
- Median pay (U.S.)
- $76,210
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +3.5%
24 police academy & criminal justice schools nationwide
School results
Aiken Technical College
Graniteville, SC · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- HVAC technician
- Welding
- +14
Alamance Community College
Graham, NC · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- HVAC technician
- Carpentry
- +17
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Albany Technical College
Albany, GA · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Electrician
- HVAC technician
- +28
Alexandria Technical & Community College
Alexandria, MN · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Carpentry
- Welding
- +11
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Welding
- CNC machining
- +14
Allegany College of Maryland
Cumberland, MD · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Automotive technician
- Medical assistant
- +13
Allen County Community College
Iola, KS · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Nursing assistant (CNA)
- Pharmacy technician
- +2
Alvin Community College
Alvin, TX · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Welding
- Automotive technician
- +9
American River College
Sacramento, CA · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Electrician
- Plumbing
- +16
Arkansas Northeastern College
Blytheville, AR · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- HVAC technician
- Welding
- +9
Arkansas State University - Beebe
Beebe, AR · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- HVAC technician
- Welding
- +13
Arkansas State University - Mountain Home
Mountain Home, AR · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Welding
- CNC machining
- +10
Arkansas State University - Newport
Newport, AR · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Electrician
- HVAC technician
- +13
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Asheville, NC · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Electrician
- HVAC technician
- +24
Ashland Community & Technical College
Ashland, KY · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Electrician
- HVAC technician
- +16
ATA College
El Cajon, CA · Private
- Police academy & criminal justice
- HVAC technician
- Medical assistant
- +1
Athens Technical College
Athens, GA · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Electrician
- HVAC technician
- +27
Atlanta Technical College
Atlanta, GA · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Electrician
- HVAC technician
- +29
Augusta Technical College
Augusta, GA · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Electrician
- HVAC technician
- +26
Baltimore City Community College
Baltimore, MD · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Practical nursing (LPN/LVN)
- EMT & paramedic
- +8
Barton County Community College
Great Bend, KS · Public
- Police academy & criminal justice
- Plumbing
- Carpentry
- +11
Criminal justice programs by state
- California (109)
- North Carolina (59)
- Texas (52)
- New York (45)
- Illinois (44)
- Ohio (40)
- Florida (39)
- Michigan (31)
- Virginia (26)
- Oklahoma (24)
- Arkansas (23)
- Georgia (23)
- Pennsylvania (23)
- Arizona (20)
- New Jersey (20)
- Minnesota (19)
- Tennessee (19)
- Wisconsin (18)
- South Carolina (17)
- Colorado (16)
- Kansas (16)
- Kentucky (16)
- Iowa (15)
- Massachusetts (15)
- New Mexico (15)
- Washington (15)
- Oregon (14)
- Puerto Rico (14)
- Maryland (13)
- Louisiana (11)
- Missouri (11)
- Alabama (10)
- Mississippi (9)
- West Virginia (8)
- Utah (7)
- New Hampshire (6)
- Idaho (5)
- Maine (5)
- Nebraska (5)
- Nevada (5)
- Wyoming (5)
- Montana (4)
- North Dakota (4)
- Connecticut (3)
- Hawaii (3)
- Indiana (3)
- South Dakota (3)
- Rhode Island (2)
- Vermont (2)
- Alaska (1)
- Delaware (1)
Criminal justice programs in major cities
What police officers earn nationally
Median pay means half earn more and half earn less. Pay grows with experience, certifications and overtime.
- Median pay
- $76,210
- $36.64 an hour
- Typical range
- $47,510–$115,120
- 10th to 90th percentile
- Jobs in the U.S.
- 670,520
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +3.5%
- 51,500 openings a year (U.S.)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, and Employment Projections.
New to the field? Read how to become a police officer: training, certifications, costs and what the work is like.
Hear from the best fits
One short form. Up to 3 schools send you costs, schedules and financial aid options. Free, with no obligation.
- Compare real costs and start dates
- Ask about financial aid and apprenticeships
- Your info goes only to the schools you're matched with
Step 1 of 3: Your trade
Frequently asked questions
How many criminal justice programs are there?
We list 913 schools with police academy & criminal justice programs in 51 states. California has the most, with 109. Together they reported 46,436 police academy & criminal justice graduates in the latest federal data.
How much do police officers make?
The national median pay is $76,210 a year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the BLS projects 3.5% job growth from 2025 to 2035.
How do I find criminal justice programs near me?
Choose your state below or search the map by city or ZIP code. Each listing shows the school's location, type and programs, and you can request info from several schools at once.