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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Middlesex County College this year. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,119 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $37,975. That is a strong return on a $8,119 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #2 place for corrections. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections 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. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $4,308 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. Set against $17,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Camden County College one of the best values for corrections. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $13,322. Corrections graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $43,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,322 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westmoreland County Community College earned it the #5 place for corrections. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Butler County Community College earned the #6 position for value in corrections this year. Set in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,910, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $10,836. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $41,492. That is a strong return on a $10,836 median debt.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,110, while out-of-state students pay about $13,350. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $11,315. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College generally make around $31,499. Set against $11,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College placed #8 among the best values for corrections. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $5,500. Early-career corrections graduates make about $47,248. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Erie Community College landed the #10 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,938 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Set against $12,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cayuga County Community College placed #11 among the best values for corrections. Cayuga County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,056, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,709.
Lehigh Carbon Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $8,764. Corrections graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $10,778. Corrections graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $43,733 early in their careers. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,611 in student loans. Corrections graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $70,610 early in their careers. Set against $14,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jamestown Community College landed the #16 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $15,876. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Jamestown Community College generally make around $35,520. That is a strong return on a $15,876 median debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry earned the #17 position for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $43,322. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Herkimer County Community College landed the #18 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $12,000. Early-career corrections graduates make about $31,468. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Finger Lakes Community College earned the #19 position for value in corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,442. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $16,736. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Finger Lakes Community College generally make around $40,467. Set against $16,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #20 for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $27,000. Early-career corrections graduates make about $36,959. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.