Indiana is home to numerous well-respected colleges and universities offering criminal justice programs that can prepare you for a broad variety of criminal justice careers. Just a few of the specialization options available are criminology, corrections, computer security and investigation, and homeland security. Several Indiana criminal justice schools also offer online degree programs, including Ball State University, the Indiana Institute of Technology, and Indiana University Bloomington. Whether you're looking for an associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree, or are looking to earn a certificate to advance your career, Indiana might have the right criminal justice program for you.
Quick Facts
There are 32 schools offering criminal justice degrees in Indiana (see below).1
15 colleges and universities offer associate's degrees in criminal justice.*1
30 colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in criminal justice.*1
5 colleges and universities offer master's or doctoral degrees in criminal justice.*1
15 colleges and universities offer criminal justice degree programs online.*1
2 schools ranked in Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
5 schools ranked in College Factual's Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges in 2018.5 schools ranked in College Factual's Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges in 2018.3
2 schools ranked in Criminal Justice Degree Schools Best Online Bachelor's Programs in 2018.4
No schools ranked in US News Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs in 2018.5
*For not-for-profit colleges and universities with criminal justice degree programs.
Featured Online Programs
Explore program formats, transfer requirements, financial aid packages, and more by contacting the schools below.
Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Indiana
Indiana's many colleges and universities offer opportunities to earn degrees in criminal justice at the associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. The level of education that you pursue is likely to be influenced by your desired career track. There are a number of different criminal justice career tracks in Indiana that reflect a range of college and experience qualifications. Some criminal justice employers in Indiana require or strongly recommend that applicants have a criminal justice degree, while other employers may not have strict college requirements but may still give hiring preference to candidates with two- or four-year college degrees. A criminal justice degree can also provide an enhanced likelihood of success in training academies, the potential for increased starting salaries, and greater opportunities for promotion.
Top-Ranked Schools with Criminal Justice Programs in Indiana
Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges*
Indiana University Bloomington (#33 in-state, #86 out-of-state)
Purdue University (#15 in-state, #25 out-of-state)
*Institution-wide ranking.
College Factual's Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges
Indiana University Bloomington (#14)
Anderson University (#104)
Indiana University-Purdue University – Indianapolis (#139)
Ball State University (#175)
Bethel College (#185)
Criminal Justice Degree Schools Best Online Bachelor's Programs
Ball State University
Indiana State University
Profiles of Well-Known Schools in Indiana
Indiana University – Bloomington: Indiana University – Bloomington's Department of Criminal Justice has a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Arts, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice. Most research is done with an emphasis on adolescence, prisoner re-entry, urban/rural crime, criminal psychology, and organized crime under the supervision of expert faculty. Upper-level undergraduate courses have specific focuses such as a Deviant Images/Deviant Acts or Policing Democracies to enable students to explore and examine their personal interest early in their academic careers. University of Indiana – Bloomington has pioneered innovation in the field of criminal justice since the Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology was founded on its campus in 1935 and continues to provide access to quality higher education.
Purdue University: Purdue University has an undergraduate sociology program with an emphasis in criminal justice in the Department of Behavioral Sciences. The degree plan combines the study of specialized sociology, psychology, history, and political science courses with electives such as Ethnic Relations, Mass Communication and Society, and History of Crime in America. Purdue University is also home to the Institute for Social and Policy Research, through which faculty collaborate with upper-level students on research projects like the Tribal Youth Victimization and Delinquency Project. Students that have specific interests in child development and how it relates to crime can make use of the Charlotte R. Riley Child Center, which functions and both a daycare center and a research laboratory.
Notable Alumni from Indiana Universities
Vanderburgh County Sheriff Eric Williams – University of Southern Indiana
Elkhart County Sheriff Bradley D. Rogers – University of Evansville
Porter County Sheriff David Lain – Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana Criminal Justice Careers
The South Bend Police Department strongly recommends a college degree in a field like criminal justice and pays a starting salary of $43,496.5 The Indianapolis Police Department pays an annual salary of $39,446 to probationary officers, with up to a $1,000 bonus to bachelor's degree holders.6 The Department of Corrections has a number of open positions, and a college degree can substitute for some required experience as well as allowing college graduates to start as a Correctional Officer Sergeant instead of a Correctional Officer, gaining additional pay. The average annual salary for protective service occupations, which includes police and patrol officers in Indiana, is $37,480 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.7 College experience requirements for police and patrol officers in Indiana vary by police department.
In addition to all of these positions, criminal justice graduates can also work for the federal government, including two major federal prisons in the state of Indiana, as well as in federal operations with agencies such as the TSA, FBI, and the Department Homeland Security (DHS). Federal agencies tend to prefer applicants who have a college degree. Private industries in Indiana will also have an ongoing demand for criminal justice graduates as well as positions including private security guards, insurance fraud investigators, and paralegals.
Indiana Criminal Justice Salary and Jobs
| Occupation | Number Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | 7,070 | $32,630 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 1,680 | $65,240 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 1,280 | $63,670 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | 11,210 | $48,990 |
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2015.8,9,10,11
Indiana's Criminal Justice Employment Outlook
Indiana's unemployment rate for May 2016 was 5%, close to the current national average of 4.7%.12 Indiana experienced a peak unemployment rate of 10.9% in June 2009, and its most recent unemployment low was 4.7% in June 2007.12 Government employment in Indiana is a good proxy for criminal justice jobs. According to Projections Central, these positions include:
Police and Sheriff Patrol: 430 annual openings; 46% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 24% holding an associate's degree.13,14
Correctional Officers: 270 annual openings; 37% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 15% holding a post-secondary certificate.13,15
Detectives and Criminal Investigators: 40 annual openings; 37% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 21% holding an associate's degree.13,16
Security Guards: 450 annual openings; 4% in these positions report completing at least some college.13,17
Paralegals and Legal Assistants: 140 annual openings; 86% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 30% holding an associate's degree and 44% holding a bachelor's degree.13,18
Note that these estimates are based on both employment growth and replacements.
The Mercatus Center is a conservative think tank that analyzed and rated the long-term solvency of each state's government. Indiana was ranked 17th in the nation after an analysis of the state's budgeting, tax/cash collection practices, and pensions.19 This is an indicator of sound financial practices, and it is likely that Indiana will be able to fulfill its pension obligations.

Featured Online Programs
Explore program formats, transfer requirements, financial aid packages, and more by contacting the schools below.
Directory of Indiana Universities Offering Campus-based and Online Criminal Justice Degrees
If you are interested in getting a degree in Indiana, we recommend a campus-based or online program for pursuing your associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree in the growing field of criminal justice.
Tip: If you don't live near a campus-based school that offers a program of interest, consider an online degree or a university in an adjacent state (Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, or Kentucky).
Schools with Online and On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the "Data, Student Reviews and Other Information" section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Ball State University (Muncie)Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice and CriminologyBachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice and Criminology (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice and Criminology (online or on-campus)Master of Public Administration | Criminal JusticeCertificate | CorrectionsPost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Criminal Justice and Criminology
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Bethel College (Mishawaka)Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Associate of Arts | Human Services: Addictions (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Human Services: Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Human Services: Addictions (online or on-campus)Minor | Criminal JusticePre-Professional Program | Pre-Forensic Science
Indiana Institute of Technology (Fort Wayne)Associate of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice Administration (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Crime AnalysisBachelor of Science | Rehabilitative Services (online)Bachelor of Science | CybersecurityBachelor of Science | Emergency Response Management (online)Bachelor of Science | Computer Security and InvestigationMinor | Cybersecurity
Indiana State University (Terre Haute)Bachelor of Science | Criminology and Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Cybercriminology and Security Studies (online or on-campus)Master of Arts | Criminology and Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Master of Science | Criminology and Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Intelligence AnalysisMinor | Corrections (online)Minor | Criminology and Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Minor | Forensic Investigations (online or on-campus)Minor | Law and Administration (online)Minor | Law Enforcement and Evidence (online)Minor | Military Leadership
Indiana University Bloomington (Bloomington)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Master of Arts | Criminal JusticeDoctoral Degree | Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Criminal JusticePost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Homeland Security and Emergency Management (online)
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Indiana University-East (Richmond)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Minor | Criminal JusticeMinor | Financial Forensic InvestigationsCertificate | Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counseling
Indiana University-Kokomo (Kokomo)Bachelor of Science | Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Correctional Management and SupervisionCertificate | Homeland Security and Emergency Management (online)Certificate | Public Safety
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (Indianapolis)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Forensic and Investigative ScienceBachelor of Science | Criminal Justice: Public Safety ManagementMaster of Public Affairs | Criminal JusticeMaster of Science | Criminal Justice and Public SafetyPost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Homeland Security and Emergency Management (online)Master of Science | Forensic and Investigative Science
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Indiana Wesleyan University (Marion)Associate of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Master of Public Administration | Criminal Justice (online)Certificate | Criminal Justice (online)
Ivy Tech Community College (Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Lafayette, Madison, Muncie, Richmond, Sellersburg, South Bend, Terre Haute)Associate of Applied Science | Addiction StudiesAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | CorrectionsAssociate of Applied Science | Law EnforcementAssociate of Applied Science | Youth ServicesAssociate of Applied Science | ForensicsAssociate of Applied Science | Cyber Security (online or on-campus)Associate of Applied Science | Homeland SecurityAssociate of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Associate of Science | Cyber Security (transfer degree; online or on-campus)Associate of Science | Homeland Security (transfer degree)Certificate | Digital Forensics (online or on-campus)Certificate | Homeland SecurityCertificate | Public SafetyCertificate | Addiction StudiesTechnical Certificate | Addiction StudiesTechnical Certificate | Digital Forensics (online or on-campus)
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Oakland City University (Oakland City)Bachelor of Science | Business Administration: Criminal JusticeBachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Biology: Forensic ScienceMinor | Criminal Justice
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (Saint Mary of the Woods)Bachelor of Science | Criminology (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Criminology: Psychology (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Criminology: Sociology (online or on-campus)Minor | Criminology
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Trine University (Angola, Fort Wayne, Mishawaka)Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Forensic ScienceMaster of Science | Criminal Justice (online)Master of Science | Criminal Justice: Forensic PsychologyMaster of Science | Criminal Justice: LawMaster of Science | Criminal Justice: Public AdministrationMaster of Science | Criminal Justice: 4+1 programMinor | Criminal Justice
Valparaiso University (Valparaiso)Master of Science | Cyber Security (hybrid online or on-campus)
Vincennes University (Vincennes)Associate of Science | Conservation Law EnforcementAssociate of Science | Fire Science and Safety TechnologyAssociate of Science | Law Enforcement: CorrectionsAssociate of Science | Law Enforcement (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Homeland Security and Public SafetyBachelor of Science | Homeland Security and Public Safety: Cyber and Information Technology SecurityCertificate of Program Completion | Fire Science and Safety Technology
Schools with On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs Only
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the "Data, Student Reviews and Other Information" section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Anderson University (Anderson)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal JusticeBachelor of Arts | Information SecurityBachelor of Arts | National Security Studies
Calumet College of St. Joseph (Whiting)Associate of Science | Probation, Parole & CourtsAssociate of Science | Forensic ScienceAssociate of Science | Pre-Law or Professional StudiesBachelor of Science | Probation, Parole & CourtsBachelor of Science | Forensic ScienceBachelor of Science | Pre-Law or Professional StudiesMaster of Science | Public Safety Administration
Grace College & Seminary (Winona Lake)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal JusticeBachelor of Science | Criminal JusticeMinor | Behavioral Science
Indiana University-Northwest (Gary)Associate of Science | Criminal JusticeBachelor of Science | Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Correctional ManagementCertificate | Public Safety
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne)Bachelor of Science | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Peace and Conflict StudiesMinor | Criminal JusticeMinor | Military Science
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Indiana University-South Bend (South Bend)Bachelor of Science | Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminal JusticeProgram | Military Science: Army ROTC
Indiana University-Southeast (New Albany)Bachelor of Science | Criminology and Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminology and Criminal Justice
Manchester College (North Manchester)Associate of Arts | Criminal JusticeBachelor of Arts/ Science | Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminal Justice
Martin University (Indianapolis)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal JusticeBachelor of Science | Criminal JusticeBachelor of Science | Criminal Justice: Law EnforcementBachelor of Science | Addictions Studies
Purdue University (West Lafayette)Bachelor of Arts | Law and Society
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Saint Joseph's College (Rensselaer)Bachelor of Science | Criminal JusticeBachelor of Science | Biology: Forensic ScienceMaster of Science | Forensic ScienceMaster of Science | Forensic EntomologyMinor | Criminal Justice
University of Indianapolis (Indianapolis)Associate of Arts | Emergency & Disaster ManagementAccelerated Baccalaureate Degree | Emergency & Disaster ManagementBachelor Degree | Criminal Justice: Corrections concentrationBachelor Degree | Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement concentrationBachelor Degree | Criminal Justice: Loss Prevention concentrationBachelor Degree | Criminal Justice: Cybersecurity concentrationBachelor Degree | Emergency & Disaster ManagementMinor | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Emergency & Disaster Management
References:1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/2. Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-public-colleges/index.php3. College Factual Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/rankings/top-ranked/4. US News Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/criminal-justice/rankings5. South Bend Police: https://police.southbendin.gov/get-involved/start-career-sbpd6. Indianapolis Police Department: https://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DPS/IMPD/Employment/Sworn/Pages/benefits.aspx7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Protective Service Occupations (Major Group): https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes330000.htm8. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Correctional Officers and Jailers https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333012.htm9. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes331012.htm10. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Detectives and Criminal Investigators: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333021.htm11. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333051.htm12. Y Charts 10 Year Unemployment Chart: https://ycharts.com/indicators/indiana_unemployment_rate13. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm14. O*Net OnLine, Police Patrol Officers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/33-3051.0115. O*Net OnLine, Correctional Officers and Jailers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3012.0016. O*Net OnLine, Police Detectives: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3021.0117. O*Net OnLine, Security Guards: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-9032.0018. O*Net OnLine, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/23-2011.0019. Mercatus Center, George Mason University, Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition 2016 Edition: https://www.mercatus.org/statefiscalrankings

