2026 Best Value Corrections Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Corrections Schools
San Diego Miramar College earned the #1 spot for value among corrections schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $10,994 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $10,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Reedley College one of the best values for corrections. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $6,500. Early-career corrections graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Moreno Valley College one of the best values for corrections. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $81,339. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Fresno City College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,187 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $32,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #6 spot for corrections value this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $28,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #7 for value in corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College came in at #8 for value in corrections this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $27,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Corrections graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Taft College earned the #10 position for value in corrections this year. Set in the town of Taft, Taft College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,108, while out-of-state students pay about $10,852. Median earnings reach $38,861 ten years out.
Yuba College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Victor Valley College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College earned the #13 position for value in corrections this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $11,760 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College placed #14 among the best values for corrections. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College landed the #15 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Riverside City College landed the #16 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $8,767. Early-career corrections graduates make about $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Redwoods landed the #17 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,852. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $98,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College earned the #18 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the corrections program here. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $111,649. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt.
De Anza College landed the #20 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $7,271. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College came in at #21 for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $9,024. Early-career corrections graduates make about $45,032. Set against $9,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Woodland Community College placed #22 among the best values for corrections. Set in the suburb of Woodland, Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, with out-of-state students paying around $7,656. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,042.
Sierra College earned the #23 position for value in corrections this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College landed the #25 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Corrections Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for corrections this year:
Narrow Corrections Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
[Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
