Best Criminal Justice and Corrections Schools in North Carolina

North Carolina has 27 colleges offering Criminal Justice and Corrections programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 2,467 recent graduates. Graduates in North Carolina earn $31,467 on average within two years — 9% below the national average of $34,693. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

School choice matters significantly: Strayer University-North Carolina graduates earn $40,448 while Shaw University graduates earn $21,703 — a $18,745 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in NC

$31,467

NC Avg. Earnings

$34,693

National Avg.

663

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Criminal Justice and Corrections in North Carolina

Public Schools (10)

$32,608

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (15)

$30,226

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in North Carolina produce comparable or higher early earnings for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Criminal Justice and Corrections Schools in North Carolina, Ranked by Earnings

Strayer University-North Carolina

Greensboro, NC ·

$40,448

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,520

Graduates: 346

Acceptance: N/A

Brevard College

Brevard, NC · Private

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,206

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 39.5%

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public

$36,308

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,403

Graduates: 227

Acceptance: 90.1%

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public

$35,615

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,154

Graduates: 206

Acceptance: 86.7%

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public

$34,603

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,352

Graduates: 142

Acceptance: 88.6%

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, NC · Private

$34,259

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,890

Graduates: 91

Acceptance: 77.8%

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,573

Graduates: 258

Acceptance: 80.2%

Barton College

Wilson, NC · Private

$33,281

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 95.9%

Livingstone College

Salisbury, NC · Private

Gardner-Webb University

Boiling Springs, NC · Private

$32,245

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,111

Graduates: 45

Acceptance: 87.0%

#11

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, NC · Public

$32,082

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,883

Graduates: 175

Acceptance: 92.4%

#12

Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC · Public

$31,708

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,515

Graduates: 58

Acceptance: 68.5%

#13

North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC · Public

$31,514

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,836

Graduates: 169

Acceptance: 90.5%

#14

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, NC · Public

$31,495

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,811

Graduates: 110

Acceptance: 46.2%

#15

North Carolina Wesleyan University

Rocky Mount, NC · Private

$31,133

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,518

Graduates: 129

Acceptance: 78.0%

#16

Guilford College

Greensboro, NC · Private

$30,926

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,710

Graduates: 53

Acceptance: 83.8%

#17

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, NC · Public

$30,771

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,408

Graduates: 41

Acceptance: 70.5%

#18

Wingate University

Wingate, NC · Private

$30,771

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,330

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 85.0%

#19

Miller-Motte College-Wilmington

Wilmington, NC ·

$29,685

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,525

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: N/A

#20

Methodist University

Fayetteville, NC · Private

$29,565

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,117

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 75.2%

#21

Campbell University

Buies Creek, NC · Private

$28,960

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,620

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 94.3%

#22

Lees-McRae College

Banner Elk, NC · Private

$28,816

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,325

Graduates: 56

Acceptance: 80.8%

#23

Chowan University

Murfreesboro, NC · Private

$28,366

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,131

Graduates: 45

Acceptance: 72.4%

#24

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC · Public

$27,995

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,594

Graduates: 126

Acceptance: 79.9%

#25

Belmont Abbey College

Belmont, NC · Private

$26,585

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,488

Graduates: 23

Acceptance: 90.4%

#26

Saint Augustine's University

Raleigh, NC · Private

$25,774

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,221

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 58.7%

#27

Shaw University

Raleigh, NC · Private

$21,703

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 30.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Criminal Justice and Corrections in North Carolina?

Strayer University-North Carolina ranks #1 for Criminal Justice and Corrections in North Carolina with median graduate earnings of $40,448 within two years of graduation. There are 27 schools offering Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in the state.

How much do Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates earn in North Carolina?

Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates in North Carolina earn an average of $31,467 within two years of graduation. This is 9% below the national average of $34,693 for this major.

What is the hardest Criminal Justice and Corrections school to get into in North Carolina?

Shaw University is the most selective Criminal Justice and Corrections program in North Carolina with an acceptance rate of 30.5%. The average acceptance rate across Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in the state is 76.7%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Criminal Justice and Corrections in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, private Criminal Justice and Corrections programs produce average earnings of $30,226 vs $32,608 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 10 public and 15 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in North Carolina

Computer Engineering $79,319 Industrial Engineering $68,397 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $65,539 Chemical Engineering $65,411 Engineering, General $61,816 Computer Science $60,095 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $60,005 Information Science/Studies $59,670

All colleges in North Carolina →

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.