Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

ASO Staff Writers
By
Updated on May 10, 2023

Educational Support and Resources for Minnesota Students

Students enrolled in a criminal justice school in Minnesota will learn and work in a state that has a total crime rate 13 percent below the national average according to the National Institute of Corrections. Minnesota also has dedicated private organizations working to improve law enforcement practices, prosecution and legal representation, inmate reform and rehabilitation practices and the justice system as a whole. Criminal justice school graduates may be eligible to begin careers as judges and law clerks, fish and game wardens, specialized law enforcement officers and criminal detectives and investigators. Learn more about criminal justice schools and career paths in Minnesota.

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.

Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site

Minnesota’s Top Criminal Justice Programs

While deciding which criminal justice school in Minnesota provides the best fit, students may want to consider researching factors such as cost of tuition, enrollment and acceptance numbers and student-to-teacher ratios for class sizes at each institution. This list breaks down the best criminal justice schools in the state, with specific statistics on the factors most important to students.

#1 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Concordia University-Saint Paul

  • Location-markerSaint Paul, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$22,800
  • Out-of-state$22,800
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,550
  • Out-of-state$8,550
  • Retention Rate64%
  • Acceptance Rate98%
  • Students Enrolled5,137
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment59%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Minnesota State University-Mankato

  • Location-markerMankato, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,394
  • Out-of-state$15,686
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,694
  • Out-of-state$7,694
  • Retention Rate77%
  • Acceptance Rate63%
  • Students Enrolled14,325
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment44%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University

  • Location-markerSaint Cloud, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,394
  • Out-of-state$15,686
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,460
  • Out-of-state$11,334
  • Retention Rate67%
  • Acceptance Rate90%
  • Students Enrolled13,049
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment31%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Hamline University

  • Location-markerSaint Paul, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$41,734
  • Out-of-state$41,734
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,596
  • Out-of-state$9,596
  • Retention Rate78%
  • Acceptance Rate68%
  • Students Enrolled3,404
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment18%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Winona State University

  • Location-markerWinona, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,598
  • Out-of-state$13,698
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,488
  • Out-of-state$11,286
  • Retention Rate77%
  • Acceptance Rate68%
  • Students Enrolled7,605
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment34%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

St. Catherine University

  • Location-markerSaint Paul, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$32,522
  • Out-of-state$32,522
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$15,948
  • Out-of-state$15,948
  • Retention Rate80%
  • Acceptance Rate67%
  • Students Enrolled4,401
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment36%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

University of Northwestern-St. Paul

  • Location-markerSaint Paul, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$31,580
  • Out-of-state$31,580
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,982
  • Out-of-state$8,982
  • Retention Rate82%
  • Acceptance Rate92%
  • Students Enrolled3,525
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment50%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Bemidji State University

  • Location-markerBemidji, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,858
  • Out-of-state$7,858
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,779
  • Out-of-state$7,779
  • Retention Rate72%
  • Acceptance Rate65%
  • Students Enrolled4,897
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment45%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Minnesota State University Moorhead

  • Location-markerMoorhead, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,632
  • Out-of-state$15,264
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,550
  • Out-of-state$8,550
  • Retention Rate76%
  • Acceptance Rate65%
  • Students Enrolled5,747
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment54%
  • AccreditationYes
#10 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

University of Minnesota-Crookston

  • Location-markerCrookston, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,438
  • Out-of-state$10,438
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate72%
  • Acceptance Rate68%
  • Students Enrolled2,768
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment46%
  • AccreditationYes
#11 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Crown College

  • Location-markerSaint Bonifacius, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$26,480
  • Out-of-state$26,480
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,720
  • Out-of-state$9,720
  • Retention Rate64%
  • Acceptance Rate50%
  • Students Enrolled1,522
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment68%
  • AccreditationYes
#12 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Southwest Minnesota State University

  • Location-markerMarshall, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,722
  • Out-of-state$7,722
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,374
  • Out-of-state$7,374
  • Retention Rate67%
  • Acceptance Rate64%
  • Students Enrolled7,058
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment21%
  • AccreditationYes
#13 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

  • Location-markerWinona, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$36,050
  • Out-of-state$36,050
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,180
  • Out-of-state$9,180
  • Retention Rate84%
  • Acceptance Rate92%
  • Students Enrolled5,548
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment33%
  • AccreditationYes
#14 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Metropolitan State University

  • Location-markerSaint Paul, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,031
  • Out-of-state$14,345
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,082
  • Out-of-state$16,164
  • Retention Rate77%
  • Acceptance Rate56%
  • Students Enrolled7,592
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment51%
  • AccreditationYes
#15 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Hennepin Technical College

  • Location-markerBrooklyn Park, MN
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,700
  • Out-of-state$4,700
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate65%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled4,625
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment31%
  • AccreditationYes
#16 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Rochester Community and Technical College

  • Location-markerRochester, MN
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,817
  • Out-of-state$5,817
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate51%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled4,944
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment48%
  • AccreditationYes
#17 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Century College

  • Location-markerWhite Bear Lake, MN
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,962
  • Out-of-state$4,962
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate58%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled8,695
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment42%
  • AccreditationYes
#18 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

North Hennepin Community College

  • Location-markerBrooklyn Park, MN
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,080
  • Out-of-state$4,080
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate57%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled6,198
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment45%
  • AccreditationYes
#19 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Minnesota State Community and Technical College

  • Location-markerFergus Falls, MN
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,965
  • Out-of-state$4,965
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate64%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled6,086
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment43%
  • AccreditationYes
#20 Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

Minneapolis Community and Technical College

  • Location-markerMinneapolis, MN
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,797
  • Out-of-state$4,797
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate57%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled7,014
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment35%
  • AccreditationYes

[Search Schools Tool]

Minnesota’s Most Popular Criminal Justice Occupations

The field of criminal justice provides many occupational opportunities for students interested in attending criminal justice school in Minnesota. Getting more background on the career possibilities within the field can help prospective students determine what they need to get out of their criminal justice program. This list details some of the most popular criminal justice careers in Minnesota.

Side by Side: Comparing Minnesota and Criminal Justice Nationwide

Learning more about potential income and job prospects in Minnesota can help criminal justice students be better informed when making their school choice. With a variety of criminal justice specializations, majors and degree levels available at Minnesota colleges and universities, this graph can help compare salary and growth projections for different fields those with a degree in criminal justice might choose to work. Explore how Minnesota’s criminal justice students might fair when seeking a career compared to the national average.

Salary

JobNationalMinnesota
Bailiff36,96044,900
Title Examiner, Abstractor47,77049,840
Court Reporter54,72057,710
Administrative Law Judge93,140106,680
Transportation Security Screener40,05040,330
Fire Inspector and Investigator59,80064,170
Arbitrator, Mediator, Conciliator69,06082,930
Criminal Justice Professor60,28064,460
Forensic Science Technician56,57060,090

Job Growth

JobNationalMinnesota
Arbitrator, Mediator, Conciliator0.0950.101
Bailiff0.0260.046
Compliance Officer0.0330.037
Detective, Criminal Investigator-0.0120.001
Judge, Magistrate0.0070.007
Forensic Science Technician0.2280.266
Probation Officer0.0280.036
Fire Inspector0.0270.055
Police, Sheriff, Patrol Supervisor0.0250.042

Source: Projections Central, 2015

After Criminal Justice School in Minnesota

Before deciding upon a criminal justice school in Minnesota, prospective students may want to look at the most employable areas of the state for their chosen specialization or field of study. This way, students may prepare to live and work in a desired area and network with local criminal justice professionals while completing their degree program. The map below details where specialized industry graduates are most likely to land a job after criminal justice school, along with annual salaries and employment data by region or city.

Largest areas of employment in descending order

Protective service

  1. Minneapolis, St. Paul
  2. Northwestern Minnesota
  3. Southeasern Minnesota
  4. Duluth
  5. Fargo, Moorhead

Legal service

  1. Minneapolis, St. Paul
  2. Fargo, Moorhead
  3. Northwestern Minnesota
  4. Duluth
  5. Southeasern Minnesota

Professional Resources for Criminal Justice in Minnesota

Business Compliance Resources

Association of Corporate Counsel Minnesota

Made up of more than 700 in-house business attorneys and corporate counsel members, the ACC represents more than 245 companies across Minnesota. From courses and networking to practice groups and pro bono community service, this membership organization is very active within the state.

Minnesota Department of Revenue

The Minnesota Department of Revenue provides helpful information for business owners and regulators such as tax use and filing, required compliance forms, registrations and workshops.

Small Business Minnesota

This non-profit organization works with businesses to maintain legal compliance by providing resources on Minnesota legislations and newsletters. They also advocate for including small businesses in policy decision making.

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce advocates for fair and effective business policy and decision making through events and webinars. Business owners can also find resources about financing, data tools and other ways to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.

Correctional Resources

Minnesota Department of Corrections

The Minnesota Department of Corrections oversees correctional institutions in the state and provides information for victims, families and communities members. The MDoC strategic plans, reports and policy manuals can also be found here.

Minnesota Corrections Association

This non-profit membership organization promotes development and ethics in corrections and for corrections professionals. Employment, training and information about corrections committees are provided here as well..

Minnesota Prison Fellowship

This religion-based organization seeks to reform the prison system to ensure safe communities and rehabilitated individuals. Information on incarceration and reintegration support, system reformation and training opportunities are listed on their website.

Juvenile Justice Coalition of Minnesota

An organization who advocates for convicted youth to improve incarceration and justice policies. The JJCM lists resources categorized by issue and impact areas, reformation goals and volunteer opportunities.

Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers

MACPO is a professional organization of probation and parole personnel that educates and promote proficient and compliant practices. Information on events, memberships and general probation and parole information is listed on their website.

Court & Judicial Resources

Conflict Resolution Center of Minnesota

A non-profit mediation and compliance group, the CRC has trained volunteers to help guide Minnesotans through educational, economic, cultural, ethnic, racial and religious court cases and dispute resolutions, with special emphasis given to those who cannot afford traditional court mediation services.

Minnesota Judicial Branch

The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides access to court and judicial case records, forms and other helpful resources for those interested in learning more about legal processes in Minnesota.

Minnesota, The National Center for State Courts

Information about education, regulations and processes, data, and statistics regarding Minnesota state courts are available through this National Center for State Courts’ website.

Minnesota, The United States Department of Justice

The Minnesota division of the United States Department of Justice provides extensive data and information about the court system including laws and regulations and legal ethics.

WATCH Minnesota

An organization formed to monitor and work with the justice system to make courts more responsive to violence against women and children in the state of Minnesota. Volunteer and internship information is available here, as well as information on the group’s initiatives combating sex trafficking, judicial policy reform and more.

Legal Resources

American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota

Interested individuals can find information regarding current civil liberties cases, legal policy and process reformation, and other resources designed to improve Minnesota’s legal system through the ACLU of Minnesota website.

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota

Advocating for immigration reform and supporting immigrant and refugee families across the state, the ILCM focuses on advocacy, education and providing legal assistance for a wide variety of immigration related issues in Minnesota. Information on internships and volunteering can also be found here.

Minnesota, American Bar Association

The ABA works to support lawyers by providing information about military legal assistance, aid and pro bono work. Individuals seeking legal support and representation can also access referral services that direct them to affordable attorneys.

Minnesota Association for Justice

The Minnesota Association for Justice is an organization that provides resources for lawyers and legal professionals to improve their understanding and expertise of legislation and legal processes. Court case summaries, verdicts and settlements can be accessed here.

Minnesota Justice Foundation

An organization designed to create opportunities for law students to work in public interest and provide pro bono legal services to low income Minnesota residents. Offices are located at the University of Minnesota Law School, Mitchell Hamline School of Law and the University of St. Thomas.

Law Enforcement Resources

Association of Training Officers of Minnesota

A membership organization that focuses on professional development, field training and personal standards in peace officer training and education in Minnesota. Classes and links to workshops and other law enforcement training opportunities can be found here.

Minneapolis Police Academy

The Minneapolis Police Academy is located at Fort Snelling and provides training and preparation for law enforcement officers in the state. For academy schedules, recruiting information, crime reports and more, visit this site.

Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association

This state-wide association supports law enforcement professionals by educating and advocating for fair and compliant practices in Minnesota policing.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety provides information regarding laws and regulations that promote safety such as vehicle, community watch and other reports.

Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association

A membership organization dedicated to increasing the quality of policing. They also provide legal defense and legislative support for Minnesota police officers.

Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association

The Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association promotes law enforcement professionalism and knowledge of laws and regulations through member support, committees, conferences and trainings along with links to informative legal databases.

Wildlife & Environmental Resources

Department of Conservation Enforcement, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

Operating on the Leech Lake Reservation, the DCE is an extension of the State of Minnesota that protects and regulates tribal lands, water and forests, including all fishing and wildlife management operations.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is committed to educating Minnesota citizens and conservation officers about proper environmental processes. Information about Minnesota’s wildlife and environmental plans, reports, regulations and training can be found here.

Minnesota, National Park Service

The National Park Service of Minnesota details statistics, articles and news, environmental processes and employment opportunities to promote natural conservation, law enforcement and preservation.

Minnesota Offices, United States Fish and Wildlife Services

Minnesota’s branch of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services is governed by the Department of the Interior to protect the state’s wildlife and environment. Information regarding wildlife laws, endangered species, fishery restoration and other conservation efforts can be accessed through their website.

Minnesota Conservation Officer’s Association

This association is comprised of conservation officers and game wardens who enforce proper environmental practices to preserve Minnesota’s natural resources and wildlife. They provide training and field work opportunities for those interested in learning more about the profession.