You can earn a high-quality bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree at dozens of accredited criminal justice colleges in Massachusetts. Schools offer both online and on-campus options to fit your preferences and schedule.
The Bay State is also a great place to stick around and look for a criminal justice job after graduation. Salaries and job growth potential vary by career, but criminal justice graduates can find various relatively well-paying and in-demand jobs related to criminal justice here.
Quick Facts
Massachusetts has 19 jails and 16 state prisons.
As of May 2023, Massachusetts has over 80,000 people employed in protective services and over 30,000 people employed in legal occupations.
Schools that offer online criminal justice degrees in the state include Fisher College, Boston University, and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
Most criminal justice colleges in Massachusetts focus on bachelor's and master's degrees with just a few offering doctorates in criminal justice.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Overview of Criminal Justice Education in Massachusetts
Higher Education in Massachusetts
120Total nonprofit postsecondary schools
52Schools that offer criminal justice degrees and certificates
Massachusetts is home to more than 50 public and private colleges and universities that offer criminal justice programs. This includes undergraduate and graduate certificates and degrees in criminal justice and related fields like forensic science, criminology, and homeland security. Some programs let students add concentrations in areas like crime analysis, cybersecurity, and community justice.
Some noteworthy criminal justice colleges in Massachusetts include Boston University, Bay Path University, Bridgewater State University, and Fitchburg State University, all of which offer multiple criminal justice-related programs. Many colleges in the state offer their own institutional scholarships specifically for criminal justice majors.
Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts
This section highlights schools in Massachusetts that offer criminal justice degrees. The schools are unranked and presented alphabetically by institution name. To qualify for inclusion on this list, the school had to be nonprofit, be accredited, and offer at least one bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
Criminal Justice Careers in Massachusetts
For students who want to stay in Massachusetts after graduation, the state offers numerous criminal justice-related careers in law enforcement, the legal system, corrections, and public service. The average salary and projected job growth for criminal justice roles in the state varies.
Some of the highest-paying careers include detectives and criminal investigators; administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers; lawyers; and emergency management directors. Some of these jobs require a graduate degree in a specific field (like law) and specialized training.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offers data on current law enforcement employment numbers, and Projections Central projects faster-than-average job growth for many criminal justice jobs in Massachusetts between 2020 and 2030.
Careers likely to grow rapidly and have a high demand for workers include forensic science technicians, paralegals and legal assistants, and security guards. Other in-demand jobs include lawyers and security guards.
| Job | Employment (2023) | Median Annual Wage (2023) | Projected Job Growth (2020-30) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police officers and sheriff's patrol officers | 16,910 | $75,700 | +6.8% |
| Detectives and criminal investigators | 1,210 | $101,540 | +3.5% |
| First-line supervisors of police and detectives | 5,810 | $97,380 | +6.2% |
| Public safety telecommunicators (police and fire dispatchers) | 2,610 | $56,760 | +8.9% |
| Transportation security screeners | 1,010 | $65,980 | +5.3% |
| Forensic science technicians | 120 | $70,220 | +18.2% |
| Correctional officers and jailers | 5,9500 | $78,810 | -9.1% |
| First-line supervisors of correctional officers | 340 | $6,450 | -4.2% |
| Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists | 1,350 | $88,110 | +0.8% |
| Bailiffs | 830 | $71,970 | N/A |
| Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers | 100 | $125,550 | 0% |
| Lawyers | 21,770 | $148,370 | +27.7% |
| Paralegals and legal assistants | 7,520 | $70,570 | +32.4% |
| Legal secretaries | 3,550 | $51,000 | -4.6% |
| Municipal, license, and court clerks | 1,460 | $60,510 | +3.9% |
| Court reporters and simultaneous captioners | 60 | $76,880 | N/A |
| Security guards | 23,700 | $40,390 | +33.9% |
| Private investigators and detectives | 300 | $57,920 | +23.3% |
| Emergency management directors | 160 | $101,870 | +12.5% |
| Postsecondary criminal justice teachers | 360 | $94,750 | +14.8% |
Source: BLS OEWS, Projections Central
How to Choose the Best Criminal Justice College in Massachusetts
Finding the right criminal justice college in Massachusetts is a big decision. Before you make your choice, spend some time thinking about the factors below.
Accreditation
Make sure that any prospective criminal justice colleges in Massachusetts that you consider are institutionally accredited. Schools with institutional accreditation go through an evaluation process by independent accrediting agencies to prove that they can offer high-quality academic programs, faculty and staff, and student resources.
You need to attend an institutionally accredited college to qualify for federal financial aid. It can also be important for transferring schools or getting into a graduate program.
Criminal justice colleges in Massachusetts may hold accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education or another accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Cost
The cost of attending a criminal justice college in Massachusetts varies by school, but students can usually save money by attending a public institution.
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that one year of undergraduate tuition and required fees at a public institution costs $14,023 on average in Massachusetts, adding up to more than $56,000 for a four-year bachelor's degree. This exceeds the national average of $9,596 a year for undergraduate tuition and required fees.
Program Format
Criminal justice colleges in Massachusetts offer both online and on-campus programs with full-time and part-time options. Think about the type of program that would work best with your schedule to choose the right school. For example, many full-time working students appreciate the flexibility of an online program.
Curriculum and Instructor Expertise
Prospective criminal justice students should choose a program that offers a curriculum and the type of instructor expertise that matches their academic interests and career goals. For example, if internships, practical skills, or a heavy research emphasis matter to you, look for programs that prioritize these opportunities.
Student Support Services
Student support services can vary from school to school in Massachusetts. It's important that you choose a college that can offer the services you need and want. For example, if you know you want to get hands-on professional experience before you graduate, look for schools that offer co-op work, internship, or experiential learning programs.
Other support services to look for include tutoring, IT help, counseling resources, and a career development center.
Financial Aid for Criminal Justice Students in Massachusetts
Students attending criminal justice colleges in Massachusetts may qualify for state and federal financial aid. Below, we explain potential funding opportunities that can help you pay for school and how to apply.
Federal Financial Aid
College students can apply for federal financial aid opportunities including student loans, grants, scholarships, and the work-study program. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible to see if you qualify for anything.
If you take out federal student loans and work for a public or nonprofit employer after graduation, you might qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. PSLF lets students stop repaying their loans after they make 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for an eligible employer.
State Financial Aid
In addition to the federal government, states also offer financial aid to college students. The Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance provides information about grants, scholarships, loans, and tuition waiver programs available to students in the state.
For example, the Massachusetts Public Service Grant Program provides funding for students whose parent or spouse was killed in the line of public service duty in Massachusetts.
Criminal Justice Scholarships for Massachusetts Students
ASIS International Western Massachusetts Chapter #212 Scholarship Award
Correctional Association of Massachusetts Scholarship Program
Criminal Justice Resources in Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts
Yes, the University of Massachusetts Boston offers a criminology and criminal justice BA program through its Department of Sociology.
