2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Ohio
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice studies students.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Marion Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice studies schools in Ohio. Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $48,132 early in their careers. Set against $11,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Zane State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,766. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $8,556 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,764. That is a strong return on a $8,556 median debt.
Youngstown State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $24,465 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,325. That is a strong return on a $24,465 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Kent State University At Trumbull came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Kent State University At Trumbull is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $33,980. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,058, compared with $10,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $31,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central State University earn a median of $32,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Students borrow a median of $16,799 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $38,399. Set against $16,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest State Community College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the rural area of Archbold, Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $9,170. Students borrow a median of $11,565 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Northwest State Community College generally make around $45,123. That is a strong return on a $11,565 median debt.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice studies. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $21,313 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $36,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Students borrow a median of $16,799 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $38,399 early in their careers. Set against $16,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Toledo came in at #10 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,548. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $22,843. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $33,980 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,843 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $44,159. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mount Union landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alliance. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Mount Union earn a median of $38,440 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mount Union admits about 78% of applicants.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,029. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $36,468. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Northern University came in at #16 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,600. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Ohio Northern University earn a median of $38,918 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio Northern University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice studies. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,253 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $49,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Baldwin Wallace College earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,832. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $42,407 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Dayton landed the #19 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $25,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Xavier University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,425. Students borrow a median of $26,396 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $48,079 early in their careers. Set against $26,396 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
