2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 71 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice & police science schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & police science, balancing cost against outcomes.
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 Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $50,103. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Middlesex County College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $8,119 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $32,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,119 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & police science will find it at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College, which ranked #3. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $25,302. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & police science will find it at Essex County College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,472. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $31,908. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & police science will find it at Burlington County College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,000. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $27,775 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carroll Community College came in at #6 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. Students borrow a median of $17,398 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $49,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ulster County Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,666, compared with $12,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $13,206. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Ulster County Community College earn a median of $51,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $13,322. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $43,451 early in their careers. Set against $13,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Hostos Community College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, while out-of-state students pay about $8,134. Students borrow a median of $6,256 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Cuny Hostos Community College generally make around $38,821. Set against $6,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $56,846. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $14,163 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $57,464. That is a strong return on a $14,163 median debt.
Butler County Community College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,000. Students borrow a median of $10,836 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $41,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,836 median debt.
Orange County Community College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $36,111. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Niagara County Community College came in at #16 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,671. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $20,232. That is a strong return on a $10,671 median debt.
Columbia Greene Community College earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,048, while out-of-state students pay about $11,448. Students borrow a median of $19,168 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $34,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westmoreland County Community College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,110, while out-of-state students pay about $13,350. Students borrow a median of $11,315 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $31,499. That is a strong return on a $11,315 median debt.
Erie Community College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $12,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $51,676. That is a strong return on a $12,938 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $10,700 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $43,989. Set against $10,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Corning Community College landed the #23 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the rural area of Corning, Corning Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,534, compared with $10,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Corning Community College generally make around $40,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $23,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Beaver County came in at #25 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Monaca. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500, compared with $20,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,802 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $49,354. That is a strong return on a $16,802 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice & police science:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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.
