<p>This comparative study investigates how prejudicial attitudes related to racial/ethnic diversity and gender equity develop among criminal justice majors across academic stages and national contexts in the USA and South Korea. Using survey data from 325 students at eight universities, the research examines whether levels and predictors of prejudice differ by country and by academic progression from freshman to senior year. Results show that South Korean freshmen reported significantly higher prejudice than their US counterparts, but this difference disappeared by senior year, with no significant differences observed at the senior level. Logistic and OLS regression analyses further revealed that gender and career aspirations (law enforcement, corrections) were consistent predictors of elevated prejudice, while targeted coursework on sexuality and phobia was linked to reduced prejudice, though with culturally contingent effects. These findings indicate that prejudice is dynamic and context-dependent, shaped by the interaction of demographic, educational, and cultural factors. By integrating developmental and cross-national perspectives, the study contributes to addressing key methodological challenges in comparative criminology and underscores the potential role of higher education as a context associated with variation in attitudinal patterns and justice-oriented professional socialization.</p>