Best Criminal Justice Schools in North Dakota

Top Criminal Justice Schools and Programs Offered in North Dakota

Criminal justice schools in North Dakota train students to fight against drug trafficking, solve crimes and protect the general public. Since North Dakota sits on the Canadian border, there is an ongoing demand for border patrol and law enforcement officers that protect the nation’s security. The United States Justice Department provides funding for many law enforcement, narcotics control and security initiatives every year. Those looking to be a part of the border patrol crew or work directly with civilians will find a variety of attractive career opportunities across the state. Learn about educational requirements and career information for criminal justice jobs in North Dakota.

BEST CRIMINAL JUSTICE SCHOOLS IN NORTH DAKOTA

OUR METHODOLOGY+

To be considered for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria:

Accredited at the institutional level
Private nonprofit or public school
Minimum of 1 bachelor’s or master’s degree in subject area for 4-year schools
Minimum of 1 associate degree or certificate program in subject area for 2-year schools

Schools were then scored on factors such as:

Cost & Financial Aid
Number and variety of program offerings
Student-teacher ratios
Graduation rates (4-year schools only)
Placement and support services offered
Academic/Career counseling services
Employment services
Loan default rates

These factors were assembled for each school and rated using a peer-based-value (PBV) calculation. PBV compares the cost of a program to the cost of other programs with the same (or similar) qualitative score and cost. PBV denotes the overall value or “bang for your buck” of a college or degree program.

Finding criminal justice schools in North Dakota that offer the right degree level and training for different legal and protective service jobs in the state can be a challenge for some. To help students find the best program that meets their individual needs, we have analyzed criminal justice schools and programs across the county to find 2017’s best academic options. Use the ranking list below to narrow down the search process and compare different schools by enrollment numbers, tuition, acceptance rate and other key factors.

Top 10 Bachelor Criminal Justice Schools in North Dakota

POPULAR NORTH DAKOTA CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAREERS

Criminal justice careers North Dakota are government-funded positions, and there is an ongoing need for highly trained individuals in this field. For instance, in 2015 North Dakota received a $447,000 grant to manage its 11 narcotic task forces alone, in addition to other financial backings. Some careers require completing an academy program while others require at least a bachelor’s degree or certification in the field. Use the tool below to compare some of the most popular criminal justice careers in North Dakota.

Police, Sheriff & Highway Patrol Officers

Total Employed in North Dakota
1,280
Median Salary in North Dakota
$50,740
Degree Level Required in North Dakota
Academy Program

Correctional Officer

Total Employed in North Dakota
920
Median Salary in North Dakota
$38,170
Degree Level Required in North Dakota
Certification

Compliance Officer

Total Employed in North Dakota
1,100
Median Salary in North Dakota
$59,680
Degree Level Required in North Dakota
Bachelor’s

Paralegal and Legal Assistant

Total Employed in North Dakota
420
Median Salary in North Dakota
$42,630
Degree Level Required in North Dakota
Varies; up to Bachelor’s

Court, Municipal and License Clerks

Total Employed in North Dakota
290
Median Salary in North Dakota
$42,750
Degree Level Required in North Dakota
Varies; up to Bachelor’s

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Total Employed in North Dakota
290
Median Salary in North Dakota
$77,210
Degree Level Required in North Dakota
Varies; up to Bachelor’s

Probation Officer

Total Employed in North Dakota
150
Median Salary in North Dakota
$51,530
Degree Level Required in North Dakota
Bachelor’s

NORTH DAKOTA EMPLOYERS LOOKING TO HIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRADUATES

Grand Forks, Bismarck, Fargo and Hillsboro are some of the larger cities with shopping malls, high-traffic public areas, and neighborhoods with high crime rates. Many available criminal justice position are government-funded and focus on law enforcement and security initiatives along the Canadian border. The table below highlights the largest areas of employment, as well as annual wages for jobs in legal and protective services in different areas.

Protective Services
Potential Employers
Bailiffs at Ward County Jail; Correctional Officers and Jailers at SWMCCC; Detectives and Criminal Investigators at private investigation firms; Fish and Game Wardens at Cross Ranch State Park; Parking Enforcement Workers for the North Dakota City Government; Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers at Bismarck Police Department; Transit and Railroad Police for North Dakota Department of Transportation; Animal Control Workers for Central Dakota Humane Society; Private Detectives and Investigators for investigation and law enforcement firms; Gaming Surveillance Officers and Gaming Investigators at various North Dakota gaming destinations; Security Guards for retailers and commercial properties; Crossing Guards at North Dakota schools; Lifeguards, Ski Patrol and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers at North Dakota State Parks and recreational areas; Transportation Security Screeners
Total Number of Employees in North Dakota: 6,370
Legal Occupations
Potential Employers
Lawyers at North Dakota Law Firms; Judicial Law Clerks at North Dakota Supreme Court; Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators and Hearing Officers at North Dakota Supreme Court; Arbitrators, Mediators and Conciliators at North Dakota courts system; Judges, Magistrate Judges and Magistrates for the North Dakota Courts System; Paralegals and Legal Assistants for North Dakota Courts and Law Firms; Court Reporters for North Dakota Supreme Court and North Dakota Court Systems; Title Examiners, Abstractors and Searchers for North Dakota Real Estate Agents and Attorneys; Legal Support Workers for area law firms.
Total Number of Employees in North Dakota: 1,910

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN NORTH DAKOTA

BUSINESS COMPLIANCE RESOURCES

CORRECTIONAL RESOURCES

COURT & JUDICIAL RESOURCES

LEGAL RESOURCES

LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES

WILDLIFE & ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES