2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
[Criminal Justice & Police Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-and-police-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & police science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 706 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice & police science schools.
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Finding the Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science School for You
The criminal justice & police science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice & police science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
College Of San Mateo tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools in the United States. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & police science will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #2. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $50,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
St Petersburg College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $14,080 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Set against $14,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & police science will find it at Grossmont College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Moorpark College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #6 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $11,149. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
College Of The Canyons earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $9,776. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $81,339. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $10,994 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $10,994 median debt.
Fresno City College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $6,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $32,658. That is a strong return on a $6,187 median debt.
Frederick Community College earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $43,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
Pasadena City College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $9,191. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Gavilan College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $12,942 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $36,589. That is a strong return on a $12,942 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $15,796 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $60,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $28,851. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $7,562. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $47,820 early in their careers. Set against $7,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yuba College landed the #23 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $62,350 early in their careers. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $8,492. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $41,229. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $11,760 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Set against $11,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & police science this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 706 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 149 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.
