Violent crimes detective education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a violent crimes detective. Violent crimes detectives usually study criminal justice, law enforcement, or business. 54% of violent crimes detectives hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 294 real violent crimes detective resumes to see exactly what violent crimes detective education sections show.

The most common colleges for violent crimes detectives are the University of New Haven and the University of New Haven.

There are also many online violent crimes detective courses to help get the education required to be a violent crimes detective.

What education do you need to become a violent crimes detective?

What degree do you need to be a violent crimes detective?

The most common degree for violent crimes detectives is bachelor's degree, with 54% of violent crimes detectives earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 19% and associate degree degree at 14%.

Bachelor's, 54%

Associate, 19%

Master's, 14%

High School Diploma, 5%

Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a violent crimes detective?

You should major in criminal justice to become a violent crimes detective. 50% of violent crimes detectives major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a violent crimes detective include law enforcement and business.

Criminal Justice, 50%

Law Enforcement, 7%

Business, 7%

Psychology, 4%

Other Majors, 32%

Most common colleges for violent crimes detectives

Violent crimes detectives often get their degrees at University of New Haven, University of Phoenix, and Eastern Kentucky University. Here are the most common colleges for violent crimes detectives in the US based on their resumes.

Violent crimes detective common college	Percentages
University of New Haven	6.82%
University of Phoenix	6.82%
Eastern Kentucky University	6.82%
Saint Leo University	6.82%
University of Northern Colorado	4.55%

Show more common violent crimes detective colleges

Best majors for violent crimes detectives

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Criminal Justice	50.0%
2	Law Enforcement	7.3%
3	Business	6.7%
4	Psychology	3.9%
5	Education	3.4%

Show more common violent crimes detective majors

Best colleges for violent crimes detectives

The best colleges for violent crimes detectives are Northeastern University, Boston University, and University of Southern California.

A violent crimes detective with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for violent crimes detectives. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become violent crimes detectives.

1. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

3. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

4. Point Park University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$31,450

Enrollment

3,170

5. University of New Haven

West Haven, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$39,270

Enrollment

5,041

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

8. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

9. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,853

Enrollment

14,759

10. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

20 best online courses for violent crimes detectives

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Top 10 most affordable universities for violent crimes detectives

The most affordable schools for violent crimes detectives are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for violent crimes detectives are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for violent crimes detectives.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

8. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

10. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for violent crimes detectives

The hardest universities for violent crimes detectives to get into are Northeastern University, Boston University, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for violent crimes detectives are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for violent crimes detectives based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

2. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

7. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

8. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

9. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,390

10. University of Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,300

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for violent crimes detectives

The easiest schools for violent crimes detectives to get into are Notre Dame College, nyack college, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a violent crimes detective without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for violent crimes detectives.

1. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

2. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

6. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

7. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

8. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

9. Manor College

Jenkintown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

898

10. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

Average violent crimes detective salary by education level

Violent crimes detectives with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $61,441 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, violent crimes detectives earn a median annual income of $59,074 compared to $50,337 for violent crimes detectives with an Associate degree.

Violent crimes detective education level	Violent crimes detective salary
Master's Degree	$61,441
High School Diploma or Less	$46,731
Bachelor's Degree	$59,074
Some College/ Associate Degree	$50,337

Violent crimes detective education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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