Summer Alberts 
California is popular for having some of the best, accredited law schools across the U.S., making it an ideal place for students who want to pursue a career in criminal justice. With the population almost 40 million residents and maintaining the largest court system in the United States i.e. Judicial Council of California, the demand for skilled professionals who can practice criminal law never really ends. It is always consistent and high.
Whether you’re in search of affordable law schools or universities for criminal justice in California, the state is full of options that offer quality while keeping the costs affordable. To help you find the one suiting all your requirements, this guide explores in detail about the best criminal law schools in California and highlights their affordability, specializations and career opportunities side by side.
Key Takeaways
- Most ABA-accredited criminal law schools in California require applicants to take the LSAT. However, some universities now accept the GRE as an alternative. Always check specific school requirements before applying.
- Public universities such as UC Hastings, UC Davis, and certain CSU campuses offer some of the cheapest law schools in California compared to private institutions. Tuition varies, so students should also consider scholarship opportunities.
- A criminal justice degree is typically an undergraduate program focusing on criminology, law enforcement, and corrections. A law degree (JD) from a criminal law school in California qualifies graduates to sit for the bar exam and practice law.
- Many universities for criminal justice in California welcome international students, offering guidance on visas, financial aid, and career pathways. Some programs even provide special support for bar exam preparation.
- The average lawyer in California earns over $150,000 annually, with criminal lawyers’ earnings varying by specialization and experience. Trial attorneys and corporate crime experts tend to earn on the higher end of the scale.
Why Choose a Criminal Law School in California?
California serves as a home for legal education and careers related to criminal justice. The state has around 250,000 attorneys licensed from the State Bar of California and also takes pride in owning the largest corrections systems in the nation, creating a never-ending demand for criminal law professionals. Cities such as Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have some of the world’s best universities offering programs in criminal justice, providing access to clinics, internships, and judicial clerkships alongside.
In addition to that, California ranks among the top states with higher rates of employment for lawyers. The American Bar Association reported more than 175,000 practicing lawyers in California in 2024. Thus, pursuing a degree in criminal law in California is undoubtedly a great choice if you aim to land a promising career in this field.
How to Select a Criminal Law School That is a Good Fit for You
Exploring the admission requirements/curriculum, career support, and financial affordability of shortlisted schools can help you determine your best fit in no time. Let’s take a detailed look at factors you must consider when choosing the best criminal law school in California:
Admission Requirements and Curriculum – Start with the simple reviewing of admission requirements, such as GPA expectations, LSAT scores, and prerequisite courses, because every law school has their own set of standards. Next, you can analyze the curriculum and specializations. Some universities that offer criminal justice programs in California focus on trial advocacy, while others include forensic law, corrections degree specialization, and white-collar crime as their core courses.
Career Support – It is critical to look at the placement rates, alumni networks, and internship opportunities with law firms, courts, and government agencies when finding the best criminal law schools in California. Schools that have strong ties with the public defender offices or district attorney offices are more likely to offer valuable career opportunities for their graduates.
Financial Affordability – It is important to determine if the schools you’re opting for fall under your financial coverage and budget. You can always start by comparing the tuition fees of all the best yet affordable criminal law schools in California and then you can research the grants, scholarships and assistantships that are applicable to your preferred options. There are very affordable law schools in California that offer excellent faculty, quality education and top-tier resources without burdening the students with uncontrollable expenses as private institutions.
Location – It is another very crucial factor. Location does have a major influence on your career trajectory. While studying from schools in San Francisco and Los Angeles can offer exposure to high-profile cases, schools from smaller cities can provide opportunities of closer mentorship. It is important that you make a choice that balances these factors and completely aligns with your goals and budget alike.
Top Schools with Criminal Law Majors in California
If you’re aiming to land a career in prosecution, policy or criminal defense, California has some of the top law universities offering affordable yet quality education. Take a look at the following options and make your choice:
University of California, Hastings College of the Law (San Francisco)
UC Hastings is one of the top-ranked among some best criminal law schools in California. It has a strategically designed curriculum with specialized courses offered in criminal procedure, trial advocacy and evidence. The school also has a practice clinic which helps students handle misdemeanor cases and represent clients under supervision, gaining real-world exposure.
It is highly affordable for those looking for a degree under budget, for the tuition here costs only $27,000 per year. UC Hastings also offers multiple financial aid packages as well as lower tuition for the residents of California given it is a public law school.
University of California, Davis – School of Law (King Hall)
UC Davis is popular for offering a procedure-based curriculum in criminal law and real-time exposure to advocacy. Students here can benefit from the Trial Practice Programs offered at the school as well as the externships with public defender offices and local DA.
King Hall is though not a very affordable option but guarantees quality education and exposure. It costs around $59,870 for tuition and there are both merit-based and need-based grants available. Especially, if you’re a resident in California, UC Davis can be the most affordable criminal law school you can opt for given the great scholarship choices.
California Western School of Law (San Diego)
California Western offers core criminal law specializations including White Collar Crime and Forensic Evidence, which is rare. Not all law schools offer such courses and so, you can choose this one if you’re particularly interested in these areas. The school also runs a California Innocence Project, allowing students to work on real-world cases that involve wrongful convictions.
The tuition here costs around $32,000 per year. Though it’s not very low and falls under the mid-range, the schools provide practical training and competitive scholarships – increasing the overall ROI with a guarantee of a promising career.
University of San Francisco – School of Law
USF is a top-tier law school, known for their Criminal and Juvenile Law Clinic. Alongside a strong theoretical curriculum, it also offers students with experiential learning opportunities. Students get the opportunity to represent real-world clients in criminal-defense cases, making it the best option for those pursuing litigation.
It falls under the category of affordable law schools, however, the tuition per year is a bit above average i.e. $59000. The good part is – USF offers several scholarships based on merit, helping lower down the tuition for students who qualify.
Loyola Law School (Los Angeles)
Loyola is one of the finest law schools in California for students who want to study in the central hub of legal markets in the U.S. i.e. Los Angeles. Apart from a very strong yet diverse curriculum, the school also has a center for Juvenile Law and Policy – allowing students with advocacy opportunities for at-risk youth.
The tuition per year is around $94,598, which is slightly higher than the usual public schools but Loyola offers major scholarships, making their programs more accessible than many expensive private institutions.
San Joaquin College of Law (Clovis/Fresno Area)
San Joaquin is one of the cheapest law schools in California, offering personalized mentorship and small-sized classes. Though it’s not nationally ranked as a UC school, the college provides solid practical training in criminal law to the students, having strong ties with the local courts.
It costs almost half the usual tuition of other law schools in California i.e.$41000 per year, making it the best choice for students who’re tight on budget yet aim to achieve quality education.
University of California, Irvine – School of Law
UC Irvine is although a new school, it has managed to attain a quick reputation for their experiential learning approach. It has a Criminal Justice Clinic that allows students to represent clients in post-conviction proceedings.
The university is definitely affordable for students under budget, offering multiple tuition rates and merit-based scholarships with an average of $61000 per year.
Prestige and rankings aren’t the only factors you should be looking at when choosing a school with criminal justice majors. Instead, it is important to consider the faculty, education quality, existence of strong clinics and their affiliation with local courts, as well as the affordability of an institution before you make the final decision.
Related 10 Criminology Schools in California in High Demand
Types of Specializations Criminal Law Schools Offer
Criminal law is a much broader field and so, law universities in California offer tailored courses and specializations around it to help students focus on their desired career paths. Let’s take a look at some of the popular specializations offered at the criminal law schools:
Trial Advocacy and Litigation – it helps students gain practical knowledge around courtroom work, and practice oral arguments, cross-examinations and case preparations for real-world scenarios.
Juvenile Justice – students can learn how to represent minors as well as understand rehabilitation laws and policies that can protect youth offenders.
Forensic Law and Criminology – helps bridging the gap between law and science and train students to work with crime analysis and forensic evidence.
Cybercrime and White-Collar Crime – this specialization covers identity theft, digital fraud, corporate misconduct and money laundering, addressing the tech-driven legal challenges in California.
Public Defense and Prosecution – help students prepare for careers as public defenders or district attorneys, making sure there is justice on both sides of the legal process.
Specializing in these courses help students align their education with professional goals in the ever-competitive legal market of California.
Career Opportunities for a Criminal Law Degree Holder in California
There are a ton of opportunities and career paths available if you are graduating from a criminal law school. The best of them includes:
Public Sector – you can work as prosecutor in district attorney offices, serve federal and state agencies, and opt becoming a defender in public defender organizations. The massive population of California assures there remains a consistent demand for legal professionals.
Private Sector – corporate compliance roles, criminal defense firms and white-collar crime law practices are expanding much quickly. With California having multiple Fortune 500 companies, legal professionals in compliance and corporate crime have great working opportunities.
Academia and NGOs – many law graduates contribute through policy-making, teaching, research and advocacy in non-profit organizations working on civil rights, justice reforms, and rehabilitation initiatives.
The average income of lawyers in California is around $213,000, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – making it one of the highest paying states for law professionals. This financial potential in combination with the widespread job market of California, makes a criminal law degree both a practical and rewarding investment.
Related: How Many Years Does It Take to Become a Criminal Lawyer?
Conclusion
California proves to be the finest destination for students who want to land a promising career in criminal justice. With a wide variety of law schools offering diverse specializations and incredible career opportunities, students can surely manage to earn a heavy return on their investment for their education. The state is not only rich with affordable options but there’s an equal demand for legal professionals in the public/private sector with a great earning potential.
If you’re ready to pursue a criminal law degree in California, the ideal way is to research programs thoroughly, explore scholarships and visit campuses that happen to be affordable. This approach can help you land a school that offers a strategic balance between cost, quality education and long-term career growth.
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