Top 3 HBCU Criminal Justice Schools of 2024

For centuries, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have operated with the specific purpose of educating African American students. In recent decades, funding for these institutions has waxed and waned, but in 2023, the United Negro College Fund received $100 million to bolster HBCUs.

More money means higher-quality programs, including criminal justice. Read on to learn more about the best criminal justice programs at HBCUs and where this major can take you.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

The decision to major in criminal justice at an HBCU offers a unique educational experience. Below are some reasons why.

Criminal justice programs at HBCUs often include specialized classes that explore issues in Black and other historically underrepresented communities. For example, the criminal justice major at Bowie State University requires a course on race, class, gender, and criminal justice. Additionally, HBCUs often offer courses focused on community relations with police.

Even a standard criminal justice course may be approached differently at an HBCU. When the majority of faculty and students are members of historically underrepresented communities, they provide unique perspectives on criminal justice topics.

Not only do HBCUs offer a different approach to the standard criminal justice curriculum but many also put criminal justice into practice at their campuses and surrounding communities. HBCUs are often at the front lines of criminal justice and policing reforms.

For example, Dillard University’s criminal justice program emphasizes understanding the policing and criminal justice systems as they relate to the Black community. In 2020, Lincoln University of Missouri became the first HBCU to open a police academy.

Since HBCUs have traditionally served students with limited access to education and resources, they generally prioritize charging lower-than-average tuition. While the costs vary across HBCUs, you can often expect lower tuition and more scholarship opportunities.

For example, Prairie View A&M University offers several university scholarships. Even HBCUs that charge on the higher end — like Hampton University — offer several merit scholarships.

HBCUs with criminal justice majors can prepare you for many jobs, such as emergency management director, forensic science technician, and police officer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for each of these roles is higher than the national median across all occupations as of 2022.

However, recent graduates should expect to make less than the median salary in their first year of work after graduation.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 6, 2024.