John Jay College of Criminal Justice: Educating for Justice in the Heart of New York
Located at 524 West 59th Street in Manhattan, John Jay College of Criminal Justice stands as a unique institution within the City University of New York (CUNY) system—the only liberal arts college in the United States founded with a dedicated mission focused on criminal justice and forensic studies . Since its founding in 1965 as the College of Police Science (COPS), John Jay has evolved into an internationally recognized leader in educating for justice across its many dimensions .
A Legacy Forged in History and Resilience
The college bears the name of John Jay, New York’s native son and the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court—a Founding Father whose commitment to justice continues to inspire the institution’s mission . From its humble beginnings holding classes at the Police Academy on East 20th Street, John Jay has weathered significant challenges that shaped its character .
During CUNY’s Open Admissions era beginning in 1970, the college experienced explosive growth, with undergraduates surging from 2,600 in 1969 to 8,600 by 1973. The faculty grew by over 200 percent during this period, and the curriculum expanded dramatically to include liberal arts majors including English, Mathematics, and Chemistry . The college faced existential threats during New York City’s 1976 fiscal crisis when CUNY trustees proposed merging John Jay with Baruch College. Faculty, students, and administrators united in a successful campaign to “save John Jay,” arguing the college’s unique contribution to addressing urban crime and public safety challenges . Buy fake USA diploma online.
Perhaps most poignantly, the college community suffered devastating loss on September 11, 2001, when 67 alumni and students—many of them firefighters—perished in the World Trade Center attacks. A memorial featuring a steel fragment from the World Trade Center ruins now stands on campus, honoring those who fell .
Academic Excellence and Distinctive Programs
John Jay’s academic offerings reflect its unique mission to explore justice through multiple lenses. The college offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in traditional criminal justice fields alongside disciplines across the arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences, and participates in doctoral programs through CUNY’s Graduate Center . Undergraduate majors span an impressive range: Anthropology, Computer Information Systems, Criminology, Fire Science, Forensic Psychology, Forensic Science, International Criminal Justice, Law and Society, and Public Administration, among many others .
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The college’s strengths have earned national recognition. BestAccreditedColleges.org ranked John Jay #2 nationwide for criminal justice and law enforcement programs . U.S. News & World Report placed its Criminology graduate program among the top ten nationally, and its Public Affairs program ranks in the top 20 percent nationwide . The college holds full accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education .
Students benefit from extensive internship opportunities placing them in prestigious agencies and organizations: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York City Police Department, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Marshals Service, Financial institutions including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, and numerous other public and private sector employers . These partnerships provide invaluable real-world experience and professional connections.
Diversity, Access, and Social Mobility
John Jay stands as a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), reflecting its deep commitment to diversity and inclusion . The student body of more than 13,700 identifies as 47 percent Hispanic, 17 percent Black, 13 percent White, and 12 percent Asian, representing over 130 nationalities . Approximately fifty percent of students are the first in their family to attend college, and many come from immigrant backgrounds, low-income families, or historically underrepresented groups .
This commitment to access translates into remarkable outcomes. The Equality of Opportunity Project ranks John Jay among the top ten institutions nationally for promoting student social mobility . U.S. News & World Report places the college #3 in Top Performers on Social Mobility among Regional Universities North . Eighty-one percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is just $3,780—making quality education accessible to students from all backgrounds . The Education Trust ranks John Jay third in the nation for Black student success .
Urban Campus in a Global City
John Jay’s campus occupies multiple buildings on Manhattan’s West Side, placing students in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Haaren Hall, located at West 59th Street and 10th Avenue, houses the Lloyd Sealy Library, swimming pool, academic departments, and administrative offices . The New Building, a 13-story tower spanning West 58th and 59th Streets on 11th Avenue, opened in 2011 and connects to Haaren Hall via the Jay Walk—a landscaped outdoor space above street level offering seating, grassy areas, and gathering spaces . Additional facilities include Westport classrooms and research spaces in the BMW Building .
The student-faculty ratio of 16:1 enables personalized attention, and 34 percent of classes enroll fewer than twenty students . Popular majors reflect the college’s distinctive mission: Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Protective Services (52 percent of graduates), Psychology (17 percent), Social Sciences (12 percent), and Computer and Information Sciences (7 percent) .
Values-Driven Education
John Jay’s mission statement captures its essential character: “We educate fierce advocates for justice” . The college’s core values—Diversity, Equity, Integrity, Justice, Learning and Scholarship, and Respect—guide everything from classroom instruction to research endeavors . Faculty members are exceptional teachers who engage students in transformative scholarship, advancing knowledge that informs professional practices building and sustaining just societies .
Graduates emerge prepared for meaningful careers across public, private, and non-profit sectors. Six years after graduation, the median salary reaches $50,293, with Computer and Information Sciences graduates earning approximately $73,192 and Homeland Security graduates averaging $62,064 . Eighty-five percent of students graduate with zero student debt—a remarkable achievement in American higher education .
Looking Forward
Under the leadership of President Karol V. Mason, a former Assistant Attorney General, John Jay continues advancing its 2020-2025 strategic plan vision: to serve as an engine for social mobility and equity, educate fierce advocates for justice, and support world-class research by a distinguished faculty . As the only American college founded with an explicit justice-focused mission, John Jay College of Criminal Justice remains uniquely positioned to prepare the next generation of leaders who will shape fairer, more equitable societies—locally, nationally, and globally.