2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Southeast 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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 114 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice & police science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Southeast 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
Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in criminal justice & police science in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $14,080 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Wilkes Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $41,251. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes North Florida Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,994, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $7,902 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of North Florida Community College earn a median of $46,266 early in their careers. Set against $7,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chipola College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice & police science. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,847 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $38,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $9,086. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $9,176 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $51,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $49,893. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $44,116 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
South Georgia Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,423. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $5,500. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $40,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $15,789. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $47,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $15,796. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $60,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,796 median debt.
Wilson Community College landed the #14 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the town of Wilson, Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $17,060 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Wilson Community College generally make around $48,304. That is a strong return on a $17,060 median debt.
South Florida State College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. South Florida State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Avon Park. Students from in state pay about $3,165 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $8,204. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from South Florida State College generally make around $42,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,651. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,748. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $52,951. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $11,278. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $35,264. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $44,616. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $9,984. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $38,736 early in their careers. Set against $9,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockingham Community College placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,966, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $50,048. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,980 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $34,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Parkersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, with out-of-state students paying around $9,424. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $15,595. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $45,400 early in their careers. Set against $15,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. Set against $16,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
Narrow Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools by State
More Criminal Justice & Police Science Rankings
View All Criminal Justice & Police Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 114 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 114 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.
