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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice Studies (Income $0-$30k)

125 Ranked Colleges
3,321 Degrees Awarded
$20,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 46,252 people earned their degree in criminal justice studies, making the major the 16th most popular in the United States.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 3,321 criminal justice studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 125 colleges that offered a degree in criminal justice studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great criminal justice studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the criminal justice studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice Studies (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 89 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Florida State

#15 in overall quality

Out of the 125 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Central Florida landed the #2 spot on the list. UCF is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 88 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCF, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Florida are $28,657, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at UCF

Out of the 125 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the #3 spot on the list. Florida International University is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211.

Full FIU Criminal Justice Studies Report

#4

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northeastern University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northeastern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern also took the #2 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern University are $25,558, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Northeastern University

#25 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at CSULB

#6

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pensacola, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UWF are $24,894.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at The University of West Florida

#7

University of Wisconsin - Platteville

Platteville, Wisconsin
#20 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Platteville landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Platteville, Wisconsin, and it awarded 39 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Platteville also made our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Platteville are $18,226, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at University of Wisconsin - Platteville

#8

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and it awarded 26 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Florida are $21,930, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at UNF

California State University - Stanislaus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 3 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Stan State are $18,540, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stan State Criminal Justice Studies Report

University of North Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNT Dallas are $13,681.

Full University of North Texas at Dallas Criminal Justice Studies Report

#11

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

Boston University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to 121 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Boston U has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Boston University Criminal Justice Studies Report

#12

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
#5 in overall quality

American Public University System did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to 93 students in 2019-2020.

American Military University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at American Military University are $7,050, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at American Military University

#13

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

University of North Texas ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Texas is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at University of North Texas

#14

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice studies students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Criminal Justice Studies Report

#15

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

With a ranking of #15, Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. FGCU is a fairly large school located in Fort Myers, Florida that handed out 4 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Gulf Coast University are $31,216.

Full Florida Gulf Coast University Criminal Justice Studies Report

The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. The University of Texas at San Antonio is located in San Antonio, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UTSA Criminal Justice Studies Report

The University of Texas at Tyler came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Tyler, Texas, and it awarded 6 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Tyler are $16,308, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at The University of Texas at Tyler

#18

Columbus State University

Columbus, Georgia
#24 in overall quality

Columbus State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Columbus, Georgia, this medium-sized public school awarded 58 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice studies students in 2019-2020.

CSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbus State University are $13,264.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Columbus State University

#19

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Marshall University is a public institution located in Huntington, West Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Marshall University are $21,162, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Marshall University

#20

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, Louisiana

McNeese State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. McNeese is a medium-sized school located in Lake Charles, Louisiana that handed out 26 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at McNeese State University are $16,386, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full McNeese Criminal Justice Studies Report

With a ranking of #21, Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus is located in Teaneck, New Jersey and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FDU are $10,656, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at FDU

With a ranking of #22, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice studies students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Sac State

#23

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Sam Houston State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Huntsville, Texas, this large public school handed out 43 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice studies students in 2019-2020.

SHSU also made our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sam Houston State University are $15,704, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Sam Houston State University Criminal Justice Studies Report

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SIUE is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 4 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#25

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

MSU Texas ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Wichita Falls, Texas, and it awarded 7 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Texas are $7,935.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at MSU Texas

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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