[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 414 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice studies students.
Leading the list is California State University Los Angeles, our #1 best value for criminal justice studies in the United States. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,679 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $32,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $14,917 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,029. Set against $14,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #3 place for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $34,570. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Indian River State 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 Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $43,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #6 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $34,806. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $30,739 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #8 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,644. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Set against $11,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Northridge ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $34,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Kokomo landed the #10 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $46,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Dalton State College placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,550. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,856. Set against $10,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $17,912. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $31,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University East Bay placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice studies. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,500. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $45,387 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #14 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $12,256 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,092. Set against $12,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $13,745. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $38,606. Set against $13,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Northwest came in at #16 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $24,471 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #17 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $35,647. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $18,623 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $36,839. Set against $18,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach came in at #20 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $34,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Louisiana State University Alexandria came in at #21 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $14,725. Students borrow a median of $26,954 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $39,917. That is a strong return on a $26,954 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Universidad Del Turabo earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,408. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Universidad Del Turabo earn a median of $28,231 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,408 median debt.
Marshall University came in at #23 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,873 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $32,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $34,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $35,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice studies this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 414 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 414 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
