2026 Best Value Corrections Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Corrections Administration](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/corrections-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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.
What’s on this page:
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
For return on investment in corrections administration, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Corrections Administration graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections administration degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in corrections administration will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for corrections administration graduates is $19,000. Early-career corrections administration graduates make about $57,404. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in corrections administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $24,120 to complete the corrections administration program here. Corrections Administration graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $33,167 early in their careers. Set against $24,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in corrections administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $40,244 to complete the corrections administration program here. Soon after graduation, corrections administration degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $45,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Oregon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in corrections administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,514, while out-of-state students pay about $32,169. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the corrections administration program here. Soon after graduation, corrections administration degree recipients from Western Oregon University generally make around $40,289. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Western Oregon University admits about 98% of applicants.
Saint Leo University earned the #6 position 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. Students from in state pay about $30,000 in tuition and fees. Corrections Administration graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. 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. Saint Leo University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Mary earned the #7 position for value in corrections administration this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Corrections Administration graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Corrections Administration graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Set against $26,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Adrian College came in at #8 for value in corrections administration this year. Located in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,684. Corrections Administration graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections administration degree recipients from Adrian College generally make around $34,112. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for corrections administration. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for corrections administration graduates is $25,707. Early-career corrections administration graduates make about $40,557. Set against $25,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Bellevue University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections administration schools. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Corrections Administration graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Early-career corrections administration graduates make about $65,603. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New England College landed the #11 spot for corrections administration value this year. Located in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,474. Corrections Administration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Corrections Administration graduates of New England College earn a median of $68,950 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Other Corrections Administration Degree Levels
Explore the best-value corrections administration schools at other degree levels:
View All Corrections Administration Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
