2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Criminal Justice & Police Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-and-police-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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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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
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice & police science schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. 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 $43,545. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $15,500. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $30,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Indian River State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $43,351 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Oklahoma Panhandle State University one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Goodwell. In-state tuition and fees average $8,092, while out-of-state students pay about $8,675. Students borrow a median of $24,249 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Oklahoma Panhandle State University earn a median of $53,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,249 median debt.
Western New Mexico University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $20,379. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $32,386. That is a strong return on a $20,379 median debt.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $51,424 early in their careers. Set against $25,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Universidad Del Turabo earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Students borrow a median of $15,408 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Universidad Del Turabo generally make around $28,231. That is a strong return on a $15,408 median debt.
Universidad Del Este landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Carolina. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $19,052. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
University Of The Virgin Islands came in at #9 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. University Of The Virgin Islands is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Charlotte Amalie. In-state tuition and fees average $5,957, while out-of-state students pay about $16,557. Students borrow a median of $26,980 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $36,846. Set against $26,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,742. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla generally make around $16,702. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Metropolitana placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $23,509 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $19,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,509 median debt.
Polk State College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,694, while out-of-state students pay about $9,818. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $15,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Polk State College generally make around $40,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $15,269 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $40,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce landed the #14 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $8,250. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce earn a median of $17,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $31,548. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Vincennes University earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $21,030 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $46,644. Set against $21,030 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $14,750. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro earn a median of $19,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt.
Weber State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $19,828 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $43,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe College Main Campus landed the #20 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $18,464 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Monroe College Main Campus generally make around $32,695. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Monroe College Main Campus admits about 68% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $21,170 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $34,922. That is a strong return on a $21,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of North Georgia placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,363 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Guayama, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $9,109 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $25,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama admits about 36% of applicants.
Southern Utah University earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $39,744. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Ferris State University landed the #25 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $25,260. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $44,897. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
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:
Other Criminal Justice & Police Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value criminal justice & police science schools at other degree levels:
View All Criminal Justice & Police Science Rankings >
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 33 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.
