2026 Best Value Corrections Administration Schools
[Corrections Administration](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/corrections-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for corrections administration students.
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Finding the Best Value Corrections Administration School for You
The corrections administration program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Corrections Administration Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Corrections Administration Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Corrections Administration Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the corrections administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Corrections Administration Schools
Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for corrections administration in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections administration graduates is $10,500. Corrections Administration graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Middlesex County College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections administration schools. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,119 to complete the corrections administration program here. Soon after graduation, corrections administration degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $32,712. Set against $8,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in corrections administration will find it at College Of Southern Nevada, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Typical student debt for corrections administration graduates is $6,687. Early-career corrections administration graduates make about $35,850. That is a strong return on a $6,687 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Arizona College earned it the #4 place for corrections administration. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for corrections administration graduates is $11,635. Early-career corrections administration graduates make about $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in corrections administration, landing the #5 spot this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $21,243 to complete the corrections administration program here. Soon after graduation, corrections administration degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Set against $21,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri Southern State University placed #6 among the best values for corrections administration. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Corrections Administration graduates carry a median of $21,972 in student loans. Corrections Administration graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $32,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,972 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Purdue University Global earned the #7 position for value in corrections administration this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $25,137 to complete the corrections administration program here. Soon after graduation, corrections administration degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $52,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quincy College placed #8 among the best values for corrections administration. Quincy College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Quincy. Students from in state pay about $8,938 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for corrections administration graduates is $15,600. Median earnings reach $52,506 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,600 median debt.
Western Oregon University earned the #9 position for value in corrections administration this year. Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Monmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,514, compared with $32,169 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the corrections administration program here. Corrections Administration graduates of Western Oregon University earn a median of $40,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Western Oregon University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of The District Of Columbia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections administration schools. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,662, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Corrections Administration graduates carry a median of $32,304 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections administration degree recipients from University Of The District Of Columbia generally make around $57,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Leo University came in at #11 for value in corrections administration this year. Located in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,000. Typical student debt for corrections administration graduates is $30,476. Soon after graduation, corrections administration degree recipients from Saint Leo University generally make around $49,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Mary came in at #12 for value in corrections administration this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the corrections administration program here. Corrections Administration graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
Adrian College landed the #13 spot for corrections administration value this year. Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. Students from in state pay about $41,684 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for corrections administration graduates is $30,500. Corrections Administration graduates of Adrian College earn a median of $34,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Adrian College admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in corrections administration this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections administration graduates is $21,253. Soon after graduation, corrections administration degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $49,712. Set against $21,253 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bellevue University came in at #15 for value in corrections administration this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete the corrections administration program here. Corrections Administration graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $65,603 early in their careers. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New England College earned the #16 position for value in corrections administration this year. Located in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,474. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the corrections administration program here. Corrections Administration graduates of New England College earn a median of $68,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. New England College admits about 92% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
