by our College Data Analytics Team
[Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/corrections/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for corrections students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Henry Ford Community College the best value for a degree in corrections in Michigan. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,200 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delta College earned it the #2 place for corrections. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $9,784. Corrections graduates of Delta College earn a median of $44,637 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,784 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lansing Community College earned it the #3 place for corrections. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in corrections will find it at Kellogg Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for corrections. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $13,506. Early-career corrections graduates make about $51,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mott Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,781 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson Community College earned the #7 position for value in corrections this year. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $16,960. Early-career corrections graduates make about $39,162. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #8 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $11,851. Early-career corrections graduates make about $53,664. That is a strong return on a $11,851 median debt.
Bay De Noc Community College earned the #9 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the town of Escanaba, Bay De Noc Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,453. Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Bay De Noc Community College earn a median of $39,075 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Superior State University came in at #10 for value in corrections this year. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in the town of Sault Ste Marie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,890. Corrections graduates carry a median of $18,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $44,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baker College Of Flint landed the #11 spot for corrections value this year. Baker College Of Flint is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso. In-state tuition and fees average $13,000. Students borrow a median of $32,899 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $43,348. Set against $32,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baker College Of Flint admits about 82% of applicants.
Siena Heights University earned the #12 position for value in corrections this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,778. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $52,293. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.