2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the The Plains States 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & police science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 43 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 The Plains States 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
Riverland Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools in the The Plains States Region. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $15,732. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $49,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $61,641. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $43,547 early in their careers. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Saint Louis Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $38,999. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Students borrow a median of $4,821 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $48,137. Set against $4,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $9,000. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $33,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $49,572. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $14,473. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Students borrow a median of $15,779 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $41,681. Set against $15,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Students from in state pay about $6,121 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $15,556 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $49,040 early in their careers. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Crowder College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $33,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $56,757. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Students borrow a median of $19,854 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $56,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,854 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,000. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $42,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Century College earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $19,366. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $54,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $15,390. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $21,133. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $39,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. Students borrow a median of $13,946 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $43,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Inver Hills Community College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $23,690. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $52,724. Set against $23,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Hennepin Community College earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Students borrow a median of $30,250 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $53,797. Set against $30,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mineral Area College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $9,500. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Mineral Area College earn a median of $45,217 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,972 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $32,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Crookston placed #23 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,288. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Crookston generally make around $48,840. Set against $26,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Crookston admits about 88% of applicants.
Normandale Community College earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Normandale Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,329. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,891. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $53,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College came in at #25 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cloquet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $15,665. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $51,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,665 median debt.
Rest of the Top 43 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), 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
