2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 203 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
For return on investment in criminal justice studies, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $6,964 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. That is a strong return on a $6,964 median debt.
Middlesex Community College Bedford is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Students borrow a median of $10,950 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $41,796. That is a strong return on a $10,950 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Chattahoochee Technical College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Suffolk County Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $7,625 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $31,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,625 median debt.
Skyline College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. 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, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Indian River State College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $9,176. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $51,825. Set against $9,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,457 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $37,202 early in their careers. Set against $11,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,059 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $67,732 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,059 median debt.
South Texas College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $25,738. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,084 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $25,846. That is a strong return on a $6,084 median debt.
College Of The Mainland ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $48,704. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Bristol Community College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $6,700 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $36,706 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,700 median debt.
Trident Technical College landed the #14 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vance Granville Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,833. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $39,750 early in their careers. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District came in at #16 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $16,262 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $32,315 early in their careers. Set against $16,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,423. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Community College placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Central Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Island. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
Johnston Community College landed the #19 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $25,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $12,606. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $34,468 early in their careers. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
York Technical College placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice studies. York Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,500. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,401. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $6,687. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $26,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College landed the #24 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $13,003 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. That is a strong return on a $13,003 median debt.
Grayson College earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice studies this year:
Other Criminal Justice Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Criminal Justice Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Criminal Justice Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 203 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 203 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.
