2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in New Jersey
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice & police science students.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in New Jersey
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
Leading the list is Essex County College, our #1 best value for criminal justice & police science in New Jersey. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $31,908. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Camden County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $13,322. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $43,451. That is a strong return on a $13,322 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mercer County Community College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice & police science. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & police science will find it at Middlesex County College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $8,119. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $32,712 early in their careers. Set against $8,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Hudson County Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,671. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $20,232. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Burlington County College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,000. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $27,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Cumberland County College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,931 median debt.
Passaic County Community College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $23,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brookdale Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Students borrow a median of $9,721 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $30,595. That is a strong return on a $9,721 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Students borrow a median of $12,002 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $37,141. Set against $12,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $9,040. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $23,024 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ocean County College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,906, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $11,000. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $27,321. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gloucester County College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Sewell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,931 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Gloucester County College earn a median of $33,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,931 median debt.
Berkeley College Woodland Park placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Berkeley College Woodland Park is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Woodland Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $23,858 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Berkeley College Woodland Park generally make around $31,091. Set against $23,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $33,254 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
More Criminal Justice & Police Science Rankings
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
