Rankings / By State
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina
- 50
- Schools
- $40,713
- Avg. Earnings
- 43%
- Avg. Graduation
- $13,546
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,754
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $29,036 to $61,389, a 2.1× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Cleveland Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $33,755 in median earnings against $995 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Cleveland Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $995 a year in net price.
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High Point University graduates 72% of its students, versus a 43% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Catawba Valley Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.13× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Elizabeth City State University ($40,026 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, High Point University ($61,389), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Cleveland Community College costs $995 a year and High Point University costs $38,707. Yet their graduates earn $33,755 and $61,389, nowhere near the $37,712 price gap.
- On value, Cleveland Community College beats High Point University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Cleveland Community College and High Point University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on the outcomes that actually compound — graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value — using federal tax-records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $40K ten years out.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-12
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Elizabeth City State University #1 overall | $40,026 ▼ -2% vs avg | $6,364 | 46% | 75 |
| 2 University of North Carolina at Charlotte #2 overall | $57,289 ▲ +41% vs avg | $15,435 | 68% | 73 |
| 3 Fayetteville State University #3 overall | $40,144 ▼ -1% vs avg | $7,892 | 37% | 72 |
| $49,458 ▲ +21% vs avg | $13,315 | 60% | 71 | |
| $43,407 ▲ +7% vs avg | $10,260 | 44% | 71 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $40,713 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 43% and an average net price of $13,546.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Cleveland Community College — Net Price: $995 | Graduation Rate: 20%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: High Point University — 72% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: High Point University — Median alumni earnings: $61,389
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Legal Profession Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the legal profession and the justice system?
$39,340
Median earnings (10yr)
43%
Median graduation rate
$13,397
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Law and criminal-justice programs feed careers where outcomes hinge on two numbers most rankings ignore: bar passage and employment in the field. Salaries are famously bimodal, with a cluster at large firms and a long tail in public-interest and government roles. Debt loads can be heavy, so program quality carries unusual stakes.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 43%. Median graduate earnings reach $39,340 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $13,397 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $25,000. Some 41% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.5%.
What we’re seeing: the gap between programs with strong bar-passage and placement records and the rest is wide, and debt makes that gap consequential. Median earnings of $39,340 against $25,000 in typical debt show why fit and outcomes matter more here than prestige alone.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Elizabeth City State University lands at #1 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,026 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,364 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Charlotte, NC · 80% accepted · $15,435 net
Why it ranks #2
University of North Carolina at Charlotte lands at #2 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,289 a decade after enrolling, 41% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,435 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Fayetteville State University lands at #3 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,144 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,892 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Western Carolina University lands at #4 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $49,458 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,315 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Pembroke, NC · 93% accepted · $10,260 net
Why it ranks #5
University of North Carolina at Pembroke lands at #5 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $43,407 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,260 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Wilson Community College lands at #6 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (59/100). Graduates earn a median $32,973 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,064 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
North Carolina Wesleyan University lands at #7 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $45,873 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,432 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of Mount Olive lands at #8 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $47,139 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,853 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Brevard College lands at #9 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $43,545 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,509 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Pfeiffer University lands at #10 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $51,562 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,076 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Greensboro, NC · 50% accepted · $10,846 net
Why it ranks #11
North Carolina A & T State University lands at #11 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $44,440 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,846 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
North Carolina Central University lands at #12 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,968 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,359 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Guilford College lands at #13 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $47,590 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,270 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Campbell University lands at #14 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $54,886 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,516 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Greensboro College lands at #15 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $46,566 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,882 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Lees-McRae College lands at #16 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $43,415 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,340 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Wingate University lands at #17 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $52,649 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,748 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Forsyth Technical Community College lands at #18 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $34,139 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,200 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
High Point University lands at #19 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (32/100). Graduates earn a median $61,389 a decade after enrolling, 51% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,707 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Winston-Salem State University lands at #20 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $45,344 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,479 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Barton College lands at #21 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $47,913 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,626 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Durham Technical Community College lands at #22 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,142 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,664 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Belmont Abbey College lands at #23 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $47,937 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,639 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Methodist University lands at #24 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $48,050 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,704 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Lenoir-Rhyne University lands at #25 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $45,543 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,689 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Catawba Valley Community College lands at #26 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $36,977 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,528 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Mars Hill University lands at #27 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $44,781 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,910 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Cape Fear Community College lands at #28 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $38,654 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,610 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Western Piedmont Community College lands at #29 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (50/100). Graduates earn a median $34,195 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,448 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Mayland Community College lands at #30 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $34,663 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,861 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Sandhills Community College lands at #31 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (47/100). Graduates earn a median $31,656 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,157 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Shaw University lands at #32 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $34,409 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,512 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Guilford Technical Community College lands at #33 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $33,934 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,002 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Craven Community College lands at #34 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (48/100). Graduates earn a median $34,231 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,289 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Chowan University lands at #35 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (64/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (52/100). Graduates earn a median $38,412 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,086 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Gardner-Webb University lands at #36 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $48,039 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,674 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Bladen Community College lands at #37 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (44/100). Graduates earn a median $30,591 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,551 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Robeson Community College lands at #38 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (44/100). Graduates earn a median $29,036 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,892 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
College of the Albemarle lands at #39 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (98/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (46/100). Graduates earn a median $33,234 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,253 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Coastal Carolina Community College lands at #40 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (50/100). Graduates earn a median $36,444 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,461 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
McDowell Technical Community College lands at #41 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $33,035 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,784 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Haywood Community College lands at #42 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $34,770 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,723 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Livingstone College lands at #43 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (64/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (45/100). Graduates earn a median $32,600 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,479 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Montreat College lands at #44 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $45,151 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,061 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Carolina University lands at #45 with a 53/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (54/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $32,864 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,828 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Central Carolina Community College lands at #46 with a 53/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (25/100). Graduates earn a median $33,525 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,446 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Cleveland Community College lands at #47 with a 51/100 composite, led by value per dollar (99/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (23/100). Graduates earn a median $33,755 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $995 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Brunswick Community College lands at #48 with a 50/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (26/100). Graduates earn a median $36,668 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,009 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Vance-Granville Community College lands at #49 with a 49/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (35/100). Graduates earn a median $34,304 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,286 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Roanoke-Chowan Community College lands at #50 with a 48/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by social mobility (36/100). Graduates earn a median $29,324 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,570 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing the right college for a degree in criminal justice can feel overwhelming. In North Carolina, several schools stand out for their programs, focusing on outcomes that matter most to students today. With an average earnings figure of $40,784 for graduates in this field, understanding these options is crucial for anyone considering a future in criminal justice.
The strongest programs on this list excel in key areas: program completion rates, graduate earnings, and manageable debt levels. As you explore the rankings below, keep in mind that these metrics can greatly influence your career trajectory. A higher graduation rate often translates to better job prospects, while lower debt means more financial freedom after graduation.
For instance, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte boasts impressive earnings of $57,289 and a graduation rate of 68%. In contrast, Wilson Community College has earnings of $32,973 with a lower graduation rate of 33%. This kind of contrast highlights the tradeoffs involved in choosing a program that fits your goals and financial situation.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 43 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.5%. Elizabeth City State University leads the group at 3.9%, with Methodist University (3.2%) and Campbell University (3.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 15.7% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Robeson Community College leads at 34.4%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 11.3% across this list. North Carolina A & T State University posts the highest success rate at 31.7%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 0.93 against a national benchmark of 1.0. High Point University reaches 1.73, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When we look closely at the data, a pattern emerges that could be overlooked. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte surpasses Wilson Community College significantly, with earnings nearly $25,000 higher and a graduation rate that is more than double. This suggests that while Wilson may be a more affordable option, students there may face greater challenges in completing their degrees and entering the workforce.
Now that you have this data, think about how these numbers align with your priorities. Are you looking for a school with a strong support system that boosts graduation rates, or is lower debt your primary concern? Consider factors like location, campus culture, and program specifics as you weigh your options. Each student's journey is unique, and the right choice depends on what you value most.
Ultimately, this data highlights the connection between education and a stable future. Families must recognize that the choice of school can directly impact career opportunities and financial stability. A degree in criminal justice can lead to a fulfilling career, but it's essential to choose a program that sets you up for success, both during and after college.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina ranking? +
Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $40,026 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 46% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
High Point University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $61,389 ten years after enrollment, well above the $40,713 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Cleveland Community College leads: graduates earn a median $33,755 against net price of about $995 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
High Point University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 72%, compared with a 43% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $13,546 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Cleveland Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $995. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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