2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Master’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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 109 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 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
Texas A And M International University earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice studies schools in the United States. 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, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $46,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for criminal justice studies. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,644 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #3 place for criminal justice studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $48,278. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Texas At Dallas earned it the #4 place for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $18,623 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $47,591. That is a strong return on a $18,623 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $47,425. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,243 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $74,466. That is a strong return on a $21,243 median debt.
Florida State University placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,170. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $57,568. That is a strong return on a $21,170 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Purdue University Global placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $51,495. That is a strong return on a $25,137 median debt.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Students borrow a median of $22,757 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $65,137. That is a strong return on a $22,757 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida landed the #11 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $19,375. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $52,216. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,731. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,983. That is a strong return on a $21,731 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice studies. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,776 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,369. Set against $21,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Fayetteville State University placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $29,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Weber State University landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,828 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,281. Set against $19,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $60,274 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $14,034 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $47,420. That is a strong return on a $14,034 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #18 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $19,381 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $33,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,381 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University came in at #19 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,281 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $36,749. Set against $25,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,875. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,241. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
San Jose State University earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #23 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $39,384 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Wayne State University landed the #24 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $28,604 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $54,708. Set against $28,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice studies value ranking:
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. 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 · 109 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 109 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.
