2027 Best Value Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Corrections Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Corrections Schools
For return on investment in corrections, no school beat Indian River State College this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $9,176 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $51,825. Set against $9,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in corrections will find it at St Petersburg College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,080 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $48,218. That is a strong return on a $14,080 median debt.
North Florida Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. North Florida Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $2,994, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $7,902 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of North Florida Community College earn a median of $46,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,902 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Chipola College one of the best values for corrections. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Students borrow a median of $8,847 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $38,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $44,101. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #6 among the best values for corrections. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $15,796. Early-career corrections graduates make about $60,055. That is a strong return on a $15,796 median debt.
South Florida State College came in at #7 for value in corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,165 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. Students borrow a median of $8,204 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $42,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,204 median debt.
Northwest Florida State College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $11,808. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $48,087. Set against $11,808 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,250 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $45,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wytheville Community College placed #10 among the best values for corrections. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,542 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $38,907. That is a strong return on a $9,542 median debt.
Miami Dade College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,563 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gateway College placed #12 among the best values for corrections. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Florida Gateway College generally make around $44,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community And Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, compared with $8,808 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community And Technical College generally make around $41,032. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Pasco Hernando Community College landed the #14 spot for corrections value this year. Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of New Port Richey. Students from in state pay about $3,155 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $14,908. Early-career corrections graduates make about $53,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Florida State College came in at #15 for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $8,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $51,461. That is a strong return on a $8,635 median debt.
Holmes Community College landed the #16 spot for corrections value this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $24,853. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Germanna Community College placed #17 among the best values for corrections. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Saint Johns River State College earned the #18 position for value in corrections this year. Saint Johns River State College is a large public school located in the town of Palatka. In-state tuition and fees average $2,591, while out-of-state students pay about $9,334. Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Saint Johns River State College generally make around $47,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Daytona State College landed the #19 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $8,169. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $52,755. Set against $8,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Virginia Community College came in at #20 for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $10,384. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $32,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $28,817. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Panhandle Technical College placed #22 among the best values for corrections. Set in the rural area of Chipley, Florida Panhandle Technical College is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Florida Panhandle Technical College generally make around $38,381.
Arkansas State University Newport came in at #23 for value in corrections this year. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,752. Students borrow a median of $10,925 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Arkansas State University Newport generally make around $44,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tallahassee Community College placed #24 among the best values for corrections. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,862 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Tallahassee Community College generally make around $43,235. Set against $26,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #25 spot for corrections value this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $36,589. That is a strong return on a $12,942 median debt.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Corrections Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for corrections this year:
Narrow Corrections Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
