Best Criminal Justice Schools In New Hampshire

Students interested in pursuing a criminal justice degree or certificate in New Hampshire can choose from universities, junior colleges, or technical schools with a traditional campus setting or a flexible online degree program. Specialization options include intelligence and security studies, forensics, and cybersecurity. Schools offering online criminal justice degrees in New Hampshire include Franklin Pierce University and New England College. Continue reading to learn more about your options for earning an education in criminal justice in New Hampshire.

Quick Facts

There are 17 schools offering criminal justice degrees in New Hampshire (see below).¹
10 colleges and universities offer associate's degrees in criminal justice.*¹
10 colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in criminal justice.*¹
3 colleges and universities offer master's or doctoral degrees in criminal justice.*¹
6 colleges and universities offer criminal justice degree programs online.*¹
No schools ranked in Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.²
1 school 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.
No schools ranked in US News Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs in 2018.⁴

*For not-for-profit colleges and universities with criminal justice degree programs.

Criminal Justice Degree Programs in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, you'll find an environment rich in cultural offerings and recreational opportunities with college communities in Concord, Manchester, and Nashua. There are also opportunities to earn your criminal justice degree online. Including a college degree in your career plan is a wise choice as law enforcement agencies tend to give priority to applicants with post-secondary experience; in fact, an associate's degree is often a prerequisite, depending on the agency's requirements. For example, the New Hampshire State Police require applicants with no police or military experience to hold at least an associate's degree. However, even if the agency you are seeking to work for does not require college credit, earning your degree can often lead to higher salaries and greater chances for promotion.

Featured Online Programs

Explore program formats, transfer requirements, financial aid packages, and more by contacting the schools below.

Top-Ranked Schools with Criminal Justice Programs in New Hampshire

College Factual's Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges

Plymouth State University (#169)

Criminal Justice Degree Schools Best Online Bachelor's Programs

Southern New Hampshire University
New England College

Profiles of Well-Known Schools in New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire: The College of Liberal Arts at the University of New Hampshire has an interdisciplinary program called Justice Studies, which can be pursued at the undergraduate or graduate level. Bachelor's program students can choose to enroll in the Dual Major program, in which they declare a first major before adding Justice Studies. The college oversees a study abroad program in Budapest, Hungary as well as multiple undergraduate and graduate research grant opportunities such as the International Research Opportunities Program (IROP). 32 professors and instructors teach Justice Studies courses in a wide range of focuses from substance abuse to corrections.

Plymouth State University: Students at Plymouth State University can complete a Bachelor of Arts through the Criminal Justice Department. Required core courses range from the criminal justice system to forensic science, while elective courses are drawn in from numerous liberal arts and social sciences departments. 11 full-time and part-time faculty work within the Criminal Justice Department and most specialize in corrections and prison culture. Juniors and seniors can earn up to 15 credit hours through internships with a local, state, or federal organization or agency with whom the department has a partnership.

Southern New Hampshire University (Online): Southern New Hampshire University's criminal justice program offers six online undergraduate programs and seven online graduate degrees in criminal justice. The three MBA program options are a general MBA in Justice Studies, and International MBA in Justice Studies, and an MBA with a Certificate in Terrorism and Homeland Security; while the MS programs include a general Justice Studies option, Cyber Security, Public Administration, and Terrorism and Homeland Security master's concentrations. The undergraduate programs include an Associate of Science in Justice Studies and a BS in Justice Studies (with concentrations in Crime and Criminology, Law and Legal Process, Policing and Law Enforcement, and Terrorism and Homeland Security). Students can take all online courses or design a blended curriculum of both virtual and on-site courses.

Notable Alumni from New Hampshire Universities

Nashua New Hampshire Police Chief John J Seusing – University of New Hampshire
Belknap County New Hampshire Sheriff Craig Wiggin – Saint Anselm College and New England College
Rochester New Hampshire Police G. Chief David Dubois – Hesser College
Merrimack New Hampshire Police Chief Michael Milligan – University of New Hampshire

Police Quote:
Dave Markss
Source

New Hampshire Criminal Justice Careers

[hen-ui-text variant="b4" data-ek="hen-ui-text:23"]If a career in the expanding criminal justice field appeals to you, it might interest you to learn that New Hampshire has an official Cold Case Unit, joining the forces of the Major Crime Unit and City Detectives with the Attorney General's Office. Up-to-date job listings with the state government are posted as part of their open recruitment. Openings within the New Hampshire Department of Safety have included the positions of emergency management specialist, marine patrol officer, campus security officer, and state police trooper.[/hen-ui-text data-ek="hen-ui-expert-quote:0"]

New Hampshire also offers criminal justice job opportunities for bailiffs, correctional officers and jailers, police and patrol officers, paralegal and legal assistants, and private detectives and investigators. Advanced training gives candidates the edge in terms of compensation and once employed, helps professionals move up the pay ladder. The average wage for police officers in New Hampshire was $53,250 as of May 2015, while first-line supervisors at police agencies earned an average of $77,620 per year.^6,8 Correctional officers in New Hampshire earned an average of $42,150 and detectives with experience can earn an average of $74,540 per year.^5,7 Law firms often have open positions for paralegals, who earn an average annual salary of $50,640 in the state.⁹

New Hampshire Criminal Justice Salary and Jobs

Occupation	Number Employed	Average Annual Salary
Correctional Officers and Jailers	1,100	$42,150
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	470	$77,620
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	340	$74,540
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	2,880	$53,250

Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2015.^5,6,7,8

New Hampshire's Criminal Justice Employment Outlook

The May 2016 unemployment rate for New Hampshire was 2.7%, lower than both the national average (4.7%) and the previous 10-year state unemployment low of 3.5% seen in March 2008.¹⁰ Government employment is a good indicator of demand for criminal justice jobs in New Hampshire. Projections Central includes the following criminal justice job projections for New Hampshire:

Police and Sheriff Patrol: 110 annual openings; 46% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 24% holding an associate's degree.^11,12
Correctional Officers: 30 annual openings; 37% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 15% holding a post-secondary certificate.^11,13
Detectives and Criminal Investigators: 10 annual openings; 37% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 21% holding an associate's degree.^11,14
Security Guards: 70 annual openings; 4% in these positions report completing at least some college.^11,15
Paralegals and Legal Assistants: 30 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.^11,16

Note that these open positions are projected based on employment growth as well as replacements.

According to the Mercatus Center, a conservative think tank that rated and analyzed the long-term solvency of each state, New Hampshire ranks 20th in the nation.¹⁷ This ranking is based on an analysis of the state's budgeting process, cash/tax collection, and pensions. This is an indicator that New Hampshire should have the long-term ability to fulfill its pension obligations.

new hampshire Criminal Justice Employment Outlook

Directory of Not-for-Profit New Hampshire Universities Offering Campus-based and Online Criminal Justice Degrees

If you are seeking a New Hampshire criminal justice degree, we recommend finding an accredited 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 (Massachusetts, Vermont, or Maine).

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.

Granite State College (Concord)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Human Services (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Public Service Management (online or on-campus)

NHTI, Concord's Community College (Concord)Associate of Science | Criminal Justice (online)Associate of Science | Addiction CounselingAssociate of Science | Human ServiceCertificate | Addiction Counseling/ Criminal JusticeCertificate | Community Social ServiceCertificate | Information Technology Security

Student Review: "A very small school, NHTI was the perfect starting point for me. The small class sizes allowed for a very nice transition into the college life. There were small community areas in almost all of the buildings which meant that there were plenty of spaces to hang out and get to know your classmates. Besides the free community areas, there was an abundance of clubs that were available to all students for free – I had a blast in the Drama Club. Besides the student life that everyone expects, academic life was good as well. Advisers are on top of their game and mine was always available to answer questions at any time during the week – even the weekend. Overall, I will always remember my experience as a pleasant one."

— Amy H., student at New Hampshire Technical Institute

Southern New Hampshire University (Nashua)Associate of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Justice StudiesBachelor of Science | Justice Studies: Crime and CriminologyBachelor of Science | Justice Studies: Law and Legal ProcessesBachelor of Science | Justice Studies: Policing and EnforcementBachelor of Science | Justice Studies: Terrorism and Homeland SecurityMaster of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Certificate | Criminology

Student Review: "The professors were all really helpful and pretty nice. We were a fairly decent sized department but you really felt a comradeship with your fellow CJ students and our professors. It was great commiserating over how hard this assignment was or whether the upcoming test would include certain topics. Overall, the quality of education I received was really good. I can hold my own in a discussion on topics and am pursuing a career as a CSI. One of the downsides was our building being shut down so we were 'homeless' for a while and had classes ALL OVER CAMPUS. I'd have to walk across campus in a matter of ten minutes. I also feel like there weren't many course options for someone pursuing a minor in forensics along with their CJ degree but that's just a minor issue."

— Student at Southern New Hampshire University

Student Review: "The Criminal Justice program at Southern New Hampshire University is an excellent program for those new to the justice field. The online portal is easy to navigate and signing up for classes is easier than tying your shoes. The academic advisers are very nice and really seem to enjoy helping the students with whatever problems might arise. Ordering books is a breeze as well and if you take online classes you can utilize the voucher program so there is no out of pocket expense. The school also uses HigherOne bank to refund unused financial aid, all students are automatically signed up for it and with their handy debit card, you can use the money to pay back the financial aid or use it for living expenses while attending the school. SNHU is an excellent school and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to start or finish their degree."

— Student at Southern New Hampshire University

Student Review: "My time at Southern New Hampshire University has been a pleasant time with my learning of Criminal Justice. The University has been able to provide all the skills on would need to succeed in the field of Criminal Justice. The professors are amazing since they have real-life experiences and good qualifications with teaching. They can really get you into the topics of the class. Although few problems I have had is that the other students in my classes donÿTt seem as motivated to learn. This can be a problem since the teachers will let it slide and can drag the class to a stop when they cause problems. Overall Criminal Justice program at Southern New Hampshire University is amazing."

— Student at Southern New Hampshire University

Student Review: "The Criminal Justice program at Southern New Hampshire University was exceptional, there were several hands-on learning opportunities that definitely prepare you for a career in your chosen field. The professors are amazing, and the classrooms are great environmentally. However, the academic faculty of the Criminal Justice program are not the greatest. Advisors are not familiar with the subject of Criminal Justice, and many of them haven't even majored in Criminal Justice, so it makes seeking advice extremely difficult. Other than that one slight issue, Criminal Justice at Southern New Hampshire University is an over all excellent experience, and I would wholly recommend it to potential nurse students or other considering a career in Criminal Justice."

— Student at Southern New Hampshire University

Schools with On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs Only

Great Bay Community College (Portsmouth, Rochester)Associate in Science | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Homeland Security

Keene State College (Portsmouth, Rochester)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice StudiesMinor | Criminal Justice Studies

River Valley Community College (Claremont, Keene)Associate in Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate in Science | Cybersecurity & Healthcare ITCertificate | Cybersecurity & Healthcare IT

Rivier College (Nashua)Bachelor of Science | Criminal JusticeBachelor of Science | Homeland and International SecurityMinor | Homeland and International SecurityMinor | Criminal Justice

White Mountains Community College (Berlin)Associate of Science | Criminal Justice/ Homeland SecurityCertificate | Cybersecurity and Healthcare ITCertificate | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Human Services

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. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Correctional Officers and Jailers https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333012.htm6. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes331012.htm7. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Detectives and Criminal Investigators: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333021.htm8. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333051.htm9. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm10. Y Charts 10 Year Unemployment Chart: https://https://ycharts.com/indicators/new_hampshire_unemployment_rate11. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm12. O*Net OnLine, Police Patrol Officers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/33-3051.0113. O*Net OnLine, Correctional Officers and Jailers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3012.0014. O*Net OnLine, Police Detectives: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3021.0115. O*Net OnLine, Security Guards: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-9032.0016. O*Net OnLine, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/23-2011.0017. Mercatus Center, George Mason University, Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition 2016 Edition: https://www.mercatus.org/statefiscalrankings

New Hampshire Criminal Justice Schools

Quick Facts

Criminal Justice Degree Programs in New Hampshire

Featured Online Programs

Top-Ranked Schools with Criminal Justice Programs in New Hampshire

College Factual's Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges

Criminal Justice Degree Schools Best Online Bachelor's Programs

Profiles of Well-Known Schools in New Hampshire

Notable Alumni from New Hampshire Universities

New Hampshire Criminal Justice Careers

New Hampshire Criminal Justice Salary and Jobs

New Hampshire's Criminal Justice Employment Outlook

Directory of Not-for-Profit New Hampshire Universities Offering Campus-based and Online Criminal Justice Degrees

Schools with Online and On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs

Schools with On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs Only

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