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2023 Best Value Colleges for Criminal Justice Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

48 Ranked Colleges
2,506 Degrees Awarded
$10,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Criminal Justice Studies is the 16th most popular major in the country with 46,814 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Plains States region, there were 2,506 criminal justice studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 48 colleges that offered a degree in criminal justice studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent criminal justice studies programs, but they also 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The criminal justice studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Criminal Justice Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Century College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice studies students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Century College, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Century College is $8,850 for plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Century College

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 20 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,692 for plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Minnesota State University - Mankato

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 135 ’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $9,766 for plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Iowa State Criminal Justice Studies Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 62 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,835 for plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Dakota State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Criminal Justice Studies Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school awarded 280 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,578 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at UNOMAHA

6
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 35 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Truman State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,208 for plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Truman State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Truman State

7

With a ranking of #7, Metropolitan Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. MCC is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 30 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,325 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MCC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Metropolitan Community College

8

With a ranking of #8, Des Moines Area Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and it awarded 23 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DMACC, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Des Moines Area Community College is $8,177 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Des Moines Area Community College Criminal Justice Studies Report

9
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #9, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 80 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $10,348 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Saint Cloud State University

10
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice studies degrees to 61 students in 2020-2021.

UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UND is $12,394 for plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at University of North Dakota

11
North Hennepin Community College crest
North Hennepin Community College
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

North Hennepin Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend North Hennepin Community College is $8,626 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full North Hennepin Community College Criminal Justice Studies Report

12
IHCC crest
Inver Hills Community College
Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

Inver Hills Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. IHCC is a public institution located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

IHCC also took the #21 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $9,188 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend IHCC.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Inver Hills Community College

13
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

With a ranking of #13, Minot State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Minot, North Dakota, and it awarded 43 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Minot State University is $8,920 for plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Minot State University

14
Normandale Community College crest
Normandale Community College
Bloomington, Minnesota

Normandale Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Bloomington, Minnesota, and it awarded 20 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Normandale Community College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Normandale Community College is $9,261 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Normandale Community College Criminal Justice Studies Report

15

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SMU MN is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SMU MN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is $15,801 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

16
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bemidji, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 69 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Bemidji State University is $10,178 for plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Bemidji State University

17
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 38 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $11,721 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State University Criminal Justice Studies Report

18

Southeast Community College Area landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southeast Community College Area is a medium-sized public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 37 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southeast Community College is $4,293 for plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Southeast Community College

19
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Metropolitan State University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 67 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Metro State also made our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $14,794 for plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Metro State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Metro State

20
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wayne State College is a public institution located in Wayne, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,608 for plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WSC.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at WSC

21

Wichita State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WSU is located in Wichita, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 83 ’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $11,687 for plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wichita State University.

Full Wichita State University Criminal Justice Studies Report

22
Missouri Western crest
Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, Missouri

Missouri Western State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Missouri Western State University is located in Saint Joseph, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 ’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Missouri Western is $8,393 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Missouri Western State University

23
Simpson College crest
Simpson College
Indianola, Iowa

Simpson College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Simpson College is a small school located in Indianola, Iowa that handed out 23 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Simpson College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Simpson College is $15,264 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Simpson College Criminal Justice Studies Report

24

Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. MSU Moorhead is a medium-sized school located in Moorhead, Minnesota that handed out 26 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, MSU Moorhead has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,675 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MSU Moorhead.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Minnesota State University - Moorhead

25

Fort Hays State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Fort Hays State University is a public institution located in Hays, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FHSU is $9,774 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Fort Hays State University

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