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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for corrections students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in corrections, no school beat Cuyahoga Community College District this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $7,149. Early-career corrections graduates make about $39,394. Set against $7,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lorain County Community College earned it the #2 place for corrections. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $17,611. Early-career corrections graduates make about $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes North Central State College one of the best values for corrections. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,782 in student loans. Corrections graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $50,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Stark State College one of the best values for corrections. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,350 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $42,724. Set against $16,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for corrections. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $11,054 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $29,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $16,291. Corrections graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James A Rhodes State College placed #7 among the best values for corrections. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,120. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $17,070. Early-career corrections graduates make about $47,074. Set against $17,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College landed the #8 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,393 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,049. Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,522 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Clark State Community College generally make around $39,734. That is a strong return on a $15,522 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $21,253 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $49,712. That is a strong return on a $21,253 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Columbiana County Career And Technical Center ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the rural area of Lisbon, Columbiana County Career And Technical Center is a small public university. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $13,290. Early-career corrections graduates make about $42,954. Set against $13,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tiffin University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. Students from in state pay about $34,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,758 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $53,145. That is a strong return on a $30,758 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Xavier University earned the #12 position for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,425. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $26,396. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. That is a strong return on a $26,396 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.