2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Far Western Region
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 122 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice & police science students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Far Western Region
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
Our analysis ranked College Of San Mateo the best value for a degree in criminal justice & police science in the Far Western Region. 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, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #2 spot this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Skyline College one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & police science. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,994. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $10,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Fresno City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. 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, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $6,187. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $32,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,187 median debt.
Moreno Valley College earned the #9 position 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, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $81,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. 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.
West Valley College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College placed #14 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. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $5,939. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $27,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Yuba College placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $8,729. 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.
Norco College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,760 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Set against $11,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Taft College came in at #25 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the town of Taft, Taft College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,108, with out-of-state students paying around $10,852. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,861 ten years after entry.
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 · 122 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
