Criminal Justice Degree Programs in New Hampshire
Updated September 17, 2026
New Hampshire has 15 in-state institutions offering a criminal justice-family program, from two-year associate tracks at community colleges like Great Bay and Manchester to bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Plymouth State, Southern New Hampshire University, and UNH. Per May 2025 BLS data, police and sheriff’s patrol officers here earn a median $71,640 a year, and detectives earn $89,290. New Hampshire’s statewide minimum to become an officer is a high school diploma plus certification through the state’s Police Standards and Training Council.
New Hampshire isn’t a state that produces headlines about crime, and it has one of the lower violent-crime rates in the country. If you’re weighing a criminal justice degree here, this covers what the schools, the pay, and the certification process actually look like.
Overview
New Hampshire has a population of about 1.4 million. The capital is Concord, but Manchester is the state’s largest city, with roughly 115,000 residents. New Hampshire consistently posts one of the lowest unemployment rates in New England.
State Agency: New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council (PSTC)
Criminal Justice Education in New Hampshire
Fifteen in-state institutions offer a criminal justice-family degree or certificate, per federal education data, covering everything from a one-year certificate to a master’s. Community colleges like Great Bay, Manchester, Nashua, NHTI-Concord, River Valley, and White Mountains run two-year associate programs. Four-year schools, Plymouth State, Keene State, Franklin Pierce, New England College, River, Southern New Hampshire University, and both UNH campuses, carry bachelor’s and, at several, master’s programs. Whether a master’s opens doors to supervisory or administrative roles in law enforcement, corrections, or probation and parole depends on the individual employer; it isn’t a statewide credential requirement for those positions.
A four-year program starts with the standard core- math, English, science- then builds in criminal justice coursework through the second and third years. Expect a curriculum built around courses like these:
Some programs offer field placements or internships, often built around the junior or senior year and tied to a specialty like patrol, corrections, victim advocacy, or forensics; check with each school directly on what’s required.
If cost is a concern, visit this page for scholarships built specifically for criminal justice students. New Hampshire also runs its own aid programs, the New Hampshire Incentive Program, Leveraged Incentive Grants, and Granite State Scholars among them, worth checking before you assume loans are your only option. Your target school’s financial aid office can point you toward award money that never gets advertised outside campus.
Where to Study Criminal Justice in New Hampshire
Per U.S. Department of Education data, 15 in-state institutions offer a program in the criminal justice family (one additional New Hampshire-registered institution, UNH’s College of Professional Studies Online, is distance-only and excluded from this count). Confirm current enrollment, format, and admission requirements directly with any school before applying.
| Institution | City | Type | Programs Offered | Credential Levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Pierce University | Rindge | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Criminal Justice, Legal Support Services | Associate, Bachelor’s, Undergraduate certificate |
| Great Bay Community College | Portsmouth | Public, 2-year | Criminal Justice, Protective Services (Other) | Associate, Undergraduate certificate |
| Keene State College | Keene | Public, 4-year | Criminal Justice | Bachelor’s |
| Lakes Region Community College | Laconia | Public, 2-year | Fire Protection | Associate, Undergraduate certificate |
| Manchester Community College | Manchester | Public, 2-year | Criminal Justice, Security Science and Technology | Associate |
| NHTI-Concord’s Community College | Concord | Public, 2-year | Criminal Justice, Legal Support Services | Associate, Undergraduate certificate |
| Nashua Community College | Nashua | Public, 2-year | Criminal Justice, Legal Support Services | Associate, Undergraduate certificate |
| New England College | Henniker | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Criminal Justice, Fire Protection, Homeland Security | Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s |
| Plymouth State University | Plymouth | Public, 4-year | Criminal Justice | Bachelor’s, Master’s |
| River Valley Community College | Claremont | Public, 2-year | Criminal Justice | Associate |
| Rivier University | Nashua | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Criminal Justice, Homeland Security | Bachelor’s |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Protective Services (Other) | Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Graduate certificate, Undergraduate certificate |
| University of New Hampshire at Manchester | Manchester | Public, 4-year | Homeland Security | Bachelor’s |
| University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | Durham | Public, 4-year | Homeland Security | Bachelor’s, Master’s |
| White Mountains Community College | Berlin | Public, 2-year | Criminal Justice | Associate, Undergraduate certificate |
School and program data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, institution file May 2025 and field-of-study file April 2025. Data accessed September 2026.
Outlook for Criminal Justice in New Hampshire
Across all protective service occupations, New Hampshire workers earn a median $60,420 a year, per May 2025 BLS data, against a national median of $50,080. Where you land inside that range depends heavily on the badge.
| Occupation | NH Median Wage | National Median Wage | NH Job Growth (2024-34) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | $71,640 | $76,210 | +3.1% |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $89,290 | $93,790 | +0.9% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $100,060 | $106,040 | +2.8% |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $61,360 | $58,940 | -8.1% |
| Security Guards | $45,200 | $38,020 | -1.2% |
Correctional officer positions are projected to shrink 8.1% in New Hampshire through 2034, the steepest change on this table, while patrol and supervisory roles are still growing. That projected employment trend is one factor worth weighing when comparing specialties, alongside interest and fit.
Separately from the BLS figures above, the New Hampshire State Police post their own pay ranges: a “Trooper I” position currently starts between approximately $64,000 and $90,000, plus overtime and diverse duty pay. After ten years of accumulated certified law enforcement experience, a Trooper I can apply for allocation to the “Trooper II” labor grade.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Police and Detectives, Correctional Officers and Bailiffs, and Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers. Long-term (2024-34) job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, ProjectionsCentral. Figures reflect state-level data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools offer criminal justice degrees in New Hampshire?
Fifteen in-state institutions offer a criminal justice program, per federal education data, ranging from community college associate tracks to master’s programs at schools like Plymouth State and UNH. A sixteenth New Hampshire-registered school offers its program fully online and isn’t counted as an in-state option.
Do I need a college degree to become a police officer in New Hampshire?
No. New Hampshire’s statewide minimum is a high school diploma or equivalent, though individual agencies can set additional hiring requirements. Every candidate must meet the Police Standards and Training Council’s background and character requirements, pass medical, drug, and psychological screening, clear a physical fitness test, and complete PSTC-approved basic training to be certified; some officers serve in a temporary or probationary status while completing that training. A degree can help at agencies that recognize education in pay or promotion decisions, but that isn’t a statewide rule.
What do detectives and correctional officers earn in New Hampshire?
Detectives and criminal investigators earn a median $89,290 a year in New Hampshire, per May 2025 BLS data. Correctional officers earn a median $61,360, though that role’s long-term outlook in the state is weaker, projected to shrink 8.1% through 2034.
How do I pay for a criminal justice degree in New Hampshire?
Start with scholarships built specifically for criminal justice majors before looking at loans. New Hampshire also runs its own state aid programs, including the New Hampshire Incentive Program and Granite State Scholars, and your target school’s financial aid office can often point to awards that aren’t advertised publicly.
Key Takeaways
- 15 in-state schools – offer a criminal justice-family degree or certificate, from one-year certificates through master’s programs.
- High school diploma is the statewide floor – New Hampshire’s minimum education standard to become a certified officer, though individual agencies may set additional requirements, and certification also requires PSTC background checks, screening, and basic training.
- Patrol and supervisory roles are growing – police officers (+3.1%) and first-line supervisors (+2.8%) are projected to grow through 2034, while correctional officer roles are shrinking (-8.1%).
- Pay varies widely by role – from a $45,200 median for security guards up to $100,060 for first-line supervisors of police and detectives.
Worried about paying for the degree? The scholarships list earlier in this guide covers eligibility, amounts, and deadlines built specifically for criminal justice students. Read that, then come back here once you know what you can afford.
Looking for a Criminal Justice Program in Another State?
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming