2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in California
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 California State University Dominguez Hills 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. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $36,092. That is a strong return on a $12,256 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. 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. Set against $11,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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%.
A rank of #4 makes Skyline College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Stanislaus earned it the #5 place for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $12,500. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $34,806 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice studies. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,917. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $35,029 early in their careers. Set against $14,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #8 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,836. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge came in at #9 for value in criminal justice studies this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $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. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $13,745 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $38,606 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University East Bay placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $13,518 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $42,211. Set against $13,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Sonoma State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $20,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $38,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Chico landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $16,331 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $36,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,998 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $33,261 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Ashford University landed the #17 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $37,625. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $47,257. Set against $37,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
La Sierra University came in at #18 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Riverside, La Sierra University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,710. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of La Sierra University earn a median of $34,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. La Sierra University admits about 92% of applicants.
Platt College Riverside ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Riverside, Platt College Riverside is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,847 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,065 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Platt College Riverside earn a median of $26,326 early in their careers. Set against $15,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #20 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,540. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,471. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System generally make around $65,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern California placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Point Loma Nazarene University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,250. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $45,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice studies education at a price that pays off.
