University of Maryland v. Rutgers Newark's School of Criminal Justice

College Search & Selection
1

Hello all!

I was offered admission to both UMD and (Rutgers Newark NB) as well as Newark’s School of Criminal Justice (which is the campus and school I’d select for Rutgers). I’m majoring in Criminal Justice. I was just curious on opinions as to which university might be better the better program or more prestigious. Finances are obviously also going to weigh on my decision, but I don’t have financial aid package from UMD yet. RU-N is offering me a good amount of grants since I’m a young adult with low income filed as an independent, so I sorta imagine UMD might offer good grants too. But, I obviously can’t say with certainty. I think Rutgers will be cheaper though. I’m a transfer student from a small midwest town outside of a large city, however, I’m not a city girl, but if Rutgers program is better I would choose them. Knowing I’d be living in the city.

So since I don’t know for sure which is better financially, I’m trying to see which is the better program and go from there until I hear back on the aid package. In the long run I’m thinking either law school for criminal prosecution or federal law enforcement jobs (FBI, DEA, etc). I don’t know anyone who has attended either schools or anyone who has attended school for CJ. Any insight to either the schools and which is the better ranked/more prestigious for jobs and such for CJ would be fantastic!

Thanks in advance!

2

For law school and federal agencies, you don’t want criminal justice (which is a stepping stone for lower level positions) but criminology. Fortunately, u Maryland has a top program in that. Otherwise definitely Rutgers New Brunswick is >>>> Newark.

3

This makes a lot of sense. Can I ask why in particular you say criminology v. criminal justice?

4

Sorry, MYOS, I’m still trying to figure out how to work CC haha. Is CJ more policies/crime/stats and criminology more crime/stats/science or is that way off??

5

Cj is more vocational.
Many students aren’t interested in their studies so much as a means to a job. It’s not really respected as a field (it’s not really an academic field, just a sort of triage now that joining the police right out of high school isn’t always possible and Leo 's are better off with a degree).
Criminology is an interdisciplinary field. Compare course requirements for both majors and you’ll see the difference.

6

Okay, I’ll take a look. Thank you very much for the help!!