[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 659 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice studies students.
Finding the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies School for You
Where you study criminal justice studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
California State University Los Angeles tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,679. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $32,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macomb Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $6,964 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $38,758. Set against $6,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex Community College Bedford is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,950 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,796. That is a strong return on a $10,950 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Indian River State College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,176 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $51,825. Set against $9,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $7,625. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $31,617. That is a strong return on a $7,625 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #8 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $14,917 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $35,029. Set against $14,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pima Community College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $7,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $47,820. That is a strong return on a $7,562 median debt.
Skyline College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
California State University Fullerton came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $34,570 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Wilkes Community College earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $41,251 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $28,059 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $67,732. Set against $28,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #15 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $34,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
College Of The Mainland placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice studies. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $48,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $16,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $32,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $38,668. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
South Texas College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $37,432. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,644 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $11,644 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
El Paso Community College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $6,084. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $25,846. That is a strong return on a $6,084 median debt.
Wayne Community College landed the #22 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $40,557 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bristol Community College landed the #23 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,700 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $36,706. Set against $6,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $13,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $36,386. That is a strong return on a $13,727 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice studies this year:
Criminal Justice Studies Related Rankings by Major
Criminal Justice Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 659 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 659 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).
[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
