Criminal Justice Schools in Ohio
Ohio’s Best Criminal Justice Schools and Programs
A student interested in a career in the field of criminal justice has many options from which to choose. From police work to law to security, the field is full of varied and interesting career options – and there are as many programs as there are career paths. The top criminal justice programs in the state of Ohio are known for their high student success rates and the quality of their staff and curriculum, whether a student is looking for an online school, traditional campus experience or certification programs.
Top Ohio Criminal Justice Schools
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.
Whether a student is looking for small class sizes, specific concentrations, or low tuition, this convenient ranking tool makes it simple to compare criminal justice schools in Ohio. By starting the search here, students save themselves the frustration of a prolonged search weeding through websites for admission statistics and costs for various criminal justice programs around the state. Check out the top criminal justice schools and programs for 2017 below.
Top Bachelor Criminal Justice Schools in Ohio
Sponsored Criminal Justice Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
OHIO’S MOST PROMINENT CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAREERS
Students who hope to make the most of their college experience will also want to keep in mind what careers are available in the local area and what to expect in terms of annual salary. Criminal justice students will find a variety of opportunities in Ohio, dependent on what degree certification level he or she attains.
Police, Sheriff & Highway Patrol Officers
- Total Employed in Ohio
24,210 - Median Salary in Ohio
$57,410 - Degree Level Required in Ohio
Academy Program
Correctional Officer
- Total Employed in Ohio
12,940 - Median Salary in Ohio
$43,210 - Degree Level Required in Ohio
Certification
Compliance Officer
- Total Employed in Ohio
6,940 - Median Salary in Ohio
$56,470 - Degree Level Required in Ohio
Bachelor’s
Paralegal and Legal Assistant
- Total Employed in Ohio
7,570 - Median Salary in Ohio
$43,450 - Degree Level Required in Ohio
Varies; up to Bachelor’s
Court, Municipal and License Clerks
- Total Employed in Ohio
7,870 - Median Salary in Ohio
$33,840 - Degree Level Required in Ohio
Varies; up to Bachelor’s
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Total Employed in Ohio
2,050 - Median Salary in Ohio
$61,420 - Degree Level Required in Ohio
Varies; up to Bachelor’s
Probation Officer
- Total Employed in Ohio
2,970 - Median Salary in Ohio
$46,680 - Degree Level Required in Ohio
Bachelor’s
WHICH OHIO EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRADUATES?
With potential employers located all over the state, students with a criminal justice degree have a lot of interesting opportunities to go to work serving the local community. Whether you are looking for the hustle and bustle of a city, or would prefer the quiet life patrolling Ohio’s 190,000 wild acres, a criminal justice degree can take you anywhere you want to go.
- Protective Services
Potential Employers
Bailiffs; Correctional Officers and Jailers; Detectives and Criminal Investigators; Fish and Game Wardens; Parking Enforcement Workers; Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers; Transit and Railroad Police; Animal Control Workers; Private Detectives and Investigators; Gaming Surveillance Officers and Gaming Investigators; Security Guards; Crossing Guards; Lifeguards, Ski Patrol and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers; Transportation Security Screeners
Total Number of Employees in Ohio: 113,800 - Legal Occupations
Potential Employers
Lawyers; Judicial Law Clerks; Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators and Hearing Officers; Arbitrators, Mediators and Conciliators; Judges, Magistrate Judges and Magistrates; Paralegals and Legal Assistants; Court Reporters; Title Examiners, Abstractors and Searchers; Legal Support Workers
Total Number of Employees in Ohio: 30,300
LARGEST AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT IN DESCENDING ORDER
OHIO’S PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE
BUSINESS COMPLIANCE RESOURCES
CORRECTIONAL RESOURCES
COURT & JUDICIAL RESOURCES
LEGAL RESOURCES
LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES
WILDLIFE & ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
EXPERT ADVICE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN OHIO: PROFESSOR SCOTT WAGNER
Professor Scott Wagner is a 36-year Ohio law enforcement veteran. He began his career in 1980 as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Licking County Sheriff’s Office where he worked patrol. Professor Wagner is a nationally recognized author on law enforcement, defensive tactics and firearms related topics who has authored three books and hundreds of articles. He was an academy commander and instructor in the first 27 police academies that were conducted at Columbus State, and also has taught as an adjunct lecturer in the Sociology Department at The Ohio State University for two years.
What should prospective criminal justice students look for in a school?
They should look for a long-standing history of success in employment. They should also ask about the reputation of the school in question with people working in the field they seek to enter. For example, asking area police officers if they have heard of a local police academy program.
What do criminal justice departments look for when considering students to admit?
Our program is open enrollment for general students. However, to enter our police academy program, other requirements exist that are mandated by the State of Ohio, like a criminal background check and drug screen. Also, as our academy program is tied to our associate’s degree program, students are generally required to have completed two semesters of work before they can start in the academy.
What skills do students need to be successful in a criminal justice degree program?
A willingness to work hard, AND a clear understanding of what kind of things employers require. For example, what kinds of things disqualify someone from working in a law enforcement agency. It is important to know those things before spending a lot of time studying for a career that isn’t possible. Students should be people of integrity as that is a critical quality needed in the fields of law, law enforcement, and corrections.
What makes the criminal justice profession unique in Ohio?
We have a system of “free standing” and college academies where those interested in a law enforcement career can go to become certified as a prospective law enforcement officer before being hired by an agency. Once they meet all the state requirements of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, they can apply to hiring agencies. Agencies can then start them right to work in a field training period without having to send them through an accredited academy since that has already been done.