Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

ASO Staff Writers
By
Updated on May 10, 2023

Programs & Criminal Justice Resources for Maryland Students

Criminal justice schools in Maryland can provide a variety of degrees, certificates and professional training to pave the way to careers across law enforcement, corrections, law and legal support and the justice system. With large cities like Baltimore ranked highly on the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, the need for qualified criminal justice professionals is ever present in Maryland. For prospective students, finding the right criminal justice school means choosing a particular area of study in the industry. Use the following guide to explore criminal justice schools in Maryland, compare the best programs and degree options and learn about the employment outlook for different careers in legal and protective services in the state.

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The Best Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland

Criminal justice is a popular academic field of study that can be found at nearly every institution of higher education. Community colleges, technical training centers and public, four-year universities may all offer forms of criminal justice degree program, but which criminal justice schools in Maryland are the best? This list ranks the top programs using a culmination of many factors and criteria, including tuition and graduations rates, to give students a better picture of Maryland’s best criminal justice schools.

#1 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Coppin State University

  • Location-markerBaltimore, MD
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,648
  • Out-of-state$11,045
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,192
  • Out-of-state$11,394
  • Retention Rate70%
  • Acceptance Rate28%
  • Students Enrolled2,724
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment45%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

University of Baltimore

  • Location-markerBaltimore, MD
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,014
  • Out-of-state$19,374
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$13,824
  • Out-of-state$20,034
  • Retention Rate87%
  • Acceptance Rate78%
  • Students Enrolled4,476
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment49%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

University of Maryland Global Campus

  • Location-markerAdelphi, MD
  • 4 year
  • Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,200
  • Out-of-state$11,976
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,640
  • Out-of-state$11,862
  • Retention Rate52%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled58,281
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment90%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Stevenson University

  • Location-markerStevenson, MD
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$34,528
  • Out-of-state$34,528
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,040
  • Out-of-state$8,040
  • Retention Rate82%
  • Acceptance Rate81%
  • Students Enrolled3,579
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment55%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

  • Location-markerPrincess Anne, MD
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,418
  • Out-of-state$15,828
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,968
  • Out-of-state$14,784
  • Retention Rate62%
  • Acceptance Rate65%
  • Students Enrolled2,886
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment39%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Towson University

  • Location-markerTowson, MD
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,962
  • Out-of-state$21,098
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,902
  • Out-of-state$16,344
  • Retention Rate86%
  • Acceptance Rate76%
  • Students Enrolled22,709
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment23%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Bowie State University

  • Location-markerBowie, MD
  • 4 year
  • Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,647
  • Out-of-state$16,338
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,614
  • Out-of-state$12,762
  • Retention Rate70%
  • Acceptance Rate80%
  • Students Enrolled6,171
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment32%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Frostburg State University

  • Location-markerFrostburg, MD
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,700
  • Out-of-state$20,800
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,866
  • Out-of-state$10,080
  • Retention Rate74%
  • Acceptance Rate80%
  • Students Enrolled5,178
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment41%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Prince George's Community College

  • Location-markerLargo, MD
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,848
  • Out-of-state$7,296
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate64%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled11,788
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment32%
  • AccreditationYes
#10 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Cecil College

  • Location-markerNorth East, MD
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,960
  • Out-of-state$8,490
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate57%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,377
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment37%
  • AccreditationYes
#11 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Chesapeake College

  • Location-markerWye Mills, MD
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,632
  • Out-of-state$6,480
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate52%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,184
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment52%
  • AccreditationYes
#12 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Wor-Wic Community College

  • Location-markerSalisbury, MD
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,784
  • Out-of-state$7,248
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate48%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,890
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment30%
  • AccreditationYes
#13 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Anne Arundel Community College

  • Location-markerArnold, MD
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,930
  • Out-of-state$11,850
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate69%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled12,655
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment46%
  • AccreditationYes
#14 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

College of Southern Maryland

  • Location-markerLa Plata, MD
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,496
  • Out-of-state$7,056
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate65%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled6,351
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment45%
  • AccreditationYes
#15 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Hagerstown Community College

  • Location-markerHagerstown, MD
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,835
  • Out-of-state$7,665
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate59%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled3,848
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment38%
  • AccreditationYes
#16 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Baltimore City Community College

  • Location-markerBaltimore, MD
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$2,640
  • Out-of-state$6,720
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate46%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled4,909
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment40%
  • AccreditationYes
#17 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Carroll Community College

  • Location-markerWestminster, MD
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,016
  • Out-of-state$6,648
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate72%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled3,126
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment29%
  • AccreditationYes
#18 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Frederick Community College

  • Location-markerFrederick, MD
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,552
  • Out-of-state$8,880
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate66%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled6,129
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment38%
  • AccreditationYes
#19 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Howard Community College

  • Location-markerColumbia, MD
  • 2 year
  • Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,318
  • Out-of-state$7,668
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate69%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled9,110
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment27%
  • AccreditationYes
#20 Criminal Justice Schools in Maryland [2022 Guide]

Montgomery College

  • Location-markerRockville, MD
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$8,070
  • Out-of-state$11,220
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate75%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled21,260
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment30%
  • AccreditationYes

Side by Side: Maryland Compared to Criminal Justice Nationally

As noted above, Maryland has a robust criminal justice system with employment opportunities at the local, municipal, county and state level at government organizations or with non-profits and private businesses. Students interested in attending criminal justice school in Maryland can get a better picture of the overall state of the industry by looking at the graphs below, showing which criminal justice occupations pay more or have higher growth projections than the national average in Maryland. Scroll over each bar to see the numbers, and what type of degree each job requires in the state.

Salary

JobNationalMaryland
Administrative Law Judge93,14096,770
Paralegal52,39052,880
Bailiff44,90045,260
Police, Sheriff & Patrol Officer61,27061,610
Correctional Officer45,32045,520
Judicial Law Clerk59,91065,200
Private Detective52,54052,840
Compliance Officer69,18075,920

Job Growth

JobNationalMaryland
Compliance Officer0.0330.161
Lawyer0.0560.144
Paralegal0.0760.191
Private Detective0.0520.229
Police, Sheriff & Patrol Officers0.050.057
Court Reporters0.0140.031
Forensic Science Technician0.1180.264
Criminal Justice Professor0.2130.314

Source: Projections Central, 2015

Where to Get Hired After Criminal Justice School in Maryland

For criminal justice students in Maryland, deciding where to go after graduation can be as challenging as deciding where and what to study. The career options are diverse across Maryland-from large metropolitan areas like Baltimore to smaller communities like Cumberland. The map below helps students at criminal justice schools in Maryland understand more about the demographics of the industry across different areas of the state. Scroll over the markers to learn about the differences in wages and employment numbers for these top.

Largest areas of employment in descending order

Protective service

  1. Baltimore, Columbia, Towson
  2. Silver Spring, Frederick, Rockville
  3. Salisbury
  4. Hagerstown, Martinsburg
  5. Cumberland

Legal service

  1. Baltimore, Columbia, Towson
  2. Silver Spring, Frederick, Rockville
  3. Salisbury
  4. Hagerstown, Martinsburg
  5. California, Lexington Park

Professional Resources for Criminal Justice in Maryland

Business Compliance Resources

Association of Corporate Counsel, Baltimore

A professional group for in-house business law counsel professionals in the Baltimore area, providing social, networking and educational events.

Maryland Department of Commerce

A state agency that promotes business development in Maryland, including resources into statewide compliance rules, regulations and procedures.

Maryland Office of Small Business Resources

An office of the Maryland Department of Commerce that helps small business owners and entrepreneurs navigate local, state and federal government processes and regulations. 

Correctional Resources

Maryland Correctional Administrators Association

An association of correctional professionals that offers membership and advocates for public policy and legislative changes that support the field of corrections, awards scholarships to students and offers professional development opportunities.

Maryland Correctional Enterprises

The prison industrial arm of the Maryland Department of Corrections that trains and employs offenders in state prisons and conducts community outreach programs.

Maryland Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services

The state department that manages 27 correctional institutions in the Maryland and 45 parole and probation offices, has 12,000 employees and operates a variety of programs to protect public safety.

Court & Judicial Resources

Maryland Court Appointed Special Advocates

Founded in 1997, a nonprofit organization that supports Maryland’s Court Appointed Special Advocate programs to find placements for neglected and abused children in Maryland.

Maryland Court Reporters Association

The official association for court reporters in the state that offers networking events, hosts conventions and supports professional development activities in the field.

Maryland Teen Court Association

Founded in 1001, the Maryland Teen Court Association offers programs to reduce juvenile crime and develop new teen court programs in the state.

Legal Resources

Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association

A membership-based organization for attorneys and associated legal professionals that promotes judicial study and serve as a forum for professional concerns in the field.

Maryland State Bar Association

A membership organization that represents more than 25,000 judges and lawyers in Maryland and offers career support, legal resources and professional networking opportunities.

Women’s Bar Association of Maryland

A specialty association that supports equal rights and professional development for women in the legal profession.

Law Enforcement Resources

Maryland Chiefs of Police Association

Founded in 1961, the association has membership across public and private law enforcement agencies that holds an annual seminar and provides professional development programs.

Maryland Fraternal Order of Police

An organization with more than 20,000 active and retired law enforcement officials that has local lodges and advocates on behalf of its members.

Maryland Law Enforcement Officers, Inc.

A professional, non-profit organization of 600 members across 84 different criminal justice agencies throughout the state of Maryland.

Wildlife & Environmental Resources

Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education

A non-profit organization founded in 1985 that operates a series of environmental training programs, conferences and networking events.

Maryland Department of the Environment

The state department for managing environmental, conservation, rehabilitation and public health projects throughout Maryland.

Maryland Environmental Laboratory Association

Found in 1990, the association is a non-profit organization that has members among local, state, federal, industry and commercial environmental industries.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police

The enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources, these officers cover everything from boating laws to homeland security, search and rescue and emergency medical services.