2027 Best Value Corrections Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/corrections/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Corrections Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Corrections Schools
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among corrections schools in the United States. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Indian River State College one of the best values for corrections. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $43,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kentucky State University earned it the #3 place for corrections. Set in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,387, with out-of-state students paying around $13,578. Students borrow a median of $28,162 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $28,497. Set against $28,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kentucky State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Polk State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,694 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,818 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,769 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $40,808. That is a strong return on a $15,769 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in corrections will find it at Vincennes University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Students borrow a median of $21,030 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #6 for value in corrections this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $31,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies landed the #7 spot for corrections value this year. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $8,054 in tuition and fees. Corrections graduates carry a median of $34,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies generally make around $33,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Langston University earned the #8 position for value in corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,863, while out-of-state students pay about $14,616. Students borrow a median of $30,017 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Langston University earn a median of $39,579 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Superior State University earned the #9 position for value in corrections this year. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in the town of Sault Ste Marie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $22,852. Corrections graduates of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $47,910 early in their careers. Set against $22,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $35,207. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Baker College Of Flint earned the #11 position for value in corrections this year. Baker College Of Flint is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,000. Students borrow a median of $47,500 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Baker College Of Flint generally make around $42,341. That is a strong return on a $47,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #12 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $42,187. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University placed #13 among the best values for corrections. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $20,822. Corrections graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $40,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,822 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #14 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $38,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alaska Anchorage placed #15 among the best values for corrections. Located in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,738 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,322 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $59,053. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #16 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $36,537. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #17 among the best values for corrections. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $19,500. Corrections graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $47,456 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University placed #18 among the best values for corrections. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $29,426. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $52,125. Set against $29,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Siena Heights University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,778. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $22,250. Corrections graduates of Siena Heights University earn a median of $52,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #20 for value in corrections this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $44,085. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Valley College came in at #21 for value in corrections this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,700. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Missouri Valley College earn a median of $44,318 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas College placed #22 among the best values for corrections. Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. In-state tuition and fees average $31,824. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Thomas College generally make around $42,732. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $49,019 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Pikeville College earned the #24 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $24,850. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $22,330. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Pikeville College generally make around $27,025. That is a strong return on a $22,330 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for corrections. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,707 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $40,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Corrections Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for corrections this year:
Other Corrections Degree Levels
Explore the best-value corrections schools at other degree levels:
View All Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
