[Criminal Justice & Police Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-and-police-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 514 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice & police science students.
Finding the Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science School for You
Where you study criminal justice & police science affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
College Of San Mateo tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools in the United States. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice & police science. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $17,075. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Macomb Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $6,964. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. That is a strong return on a $6,964 median debt.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $50,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Middlesex County College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $8,119. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $32,712. Set against $8,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $11,868. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $49,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,868 median debt.
St Petersburg College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $14,080. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $8,575. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $7,995. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $31,600 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Skyline College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Yuba College landed the #14 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $62,350. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $14,308. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $6,250. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.
Irvine Valley College came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $41,251. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Indian River State College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $9,176 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $51,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,176 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $28,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #21 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $48,704. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Hartnell College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $6,000. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,994. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $57,185 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. 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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & police science value ranking:
Criminal Justice & Police Science Related Rankings by Major
Criminal Justice & Police Science is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 514 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 514 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).
[Criminal Justice & Police Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-and-police-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
