2026 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 90 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice & police science schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Frederick Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice & police science. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 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 Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $25,302. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $31,908. 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 Camden County College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Students borrow a median of $13,322 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $43,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,322 median debt.
Ulster County Community College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Stone Ridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Students borrow a median of $13,206 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $51,069. Set against $13,206 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $8,119 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $32,712 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carroll Community College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,398 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $49,058. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt.
Cuny Hostos Community College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,254 in tuition and fees, 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. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $38,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,256 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Mercer County Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Erie Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,938. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $51,676 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Burlington County College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $27,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $10,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $20,232. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butler County Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. Students from in state pay about $5,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,836 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $41,492. Set against $10,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,611 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $70,610. Set against $14,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Greene Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,448. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $19,168. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Columbia Greene Community College earn a median of $34,411 early in their careers. Set against $19,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cumberland County College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Vineland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,931 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Cumberland County College earn a median of $33,568 early in their careers. Set against $11,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $13,750. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $56,846. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,700. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Set against $10,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wor Wic Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,400. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $53,813. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Westmoreland County Community College placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. 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. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $11,000. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Niagara County Community College landed the #23 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $36,258. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College landed the #24 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Delaware County Community College landed the #25 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 90 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
