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2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s

118 Ranked Colleges
3,321 Degrees Awarded
$12,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master's

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 46,252 people earned their degree in criminal justice studies, making the major the 16th most popular in the United States.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 3,321 criminal justice studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s” ranking, we looked at 118 colleges that offer a degree in criminal justice studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality criminal justice studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the criminal justice studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree criminal justice studies students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice Studies

#1

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Public University System. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s. American Public University System is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 93 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

American Military University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at American Military University are $7,050, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at American Public University System

#2

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
#17 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Liberty University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 366 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree criminal justice studies students list, Liberty University has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Liberty University are $8,349, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Liberty University

#3

Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa
#23 in overall quality

Out of the 118 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Simpson College landed the #3 spot on the list. Simpson College is located in Indianola, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Simpson College, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Simpson College are $8,868.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Simpson College

#4

Columbia College

Columbia, South Carolina
#22 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s. Columbia College South Carolina is located in Columbia, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia College South Carolina, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia College South Carolina are $10,911.

Full Columbia College South Carolina Criminal Justice Studies Report

#5

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Sam Houston State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s list. SHSU is located in Huntsville, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 43 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

SHSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SHSU are $15,704, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at SHSU

#6

Westfield State University

Westfield, Massachusetts

Westfield State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s list. Westfield State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Westfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 7 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Westfield are $6,696.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Westfield State University

#7

Xavier University

Cincinnati, Ohio
#13 in overall quality

Xavier University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #7. Xavier is a medium-sized school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 18 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Xavier also took the #13 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Xavier are $12,076.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Xavier

#8

Seattle University

Seattle, Washington
#10 in overall quality

Seattle University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s list. Seattle University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 20 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Seattle U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Seattle U are $14,040, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Seattle University

#9

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Fitchburg State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, this medium-sized public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice studies students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fitchburg State are $6,012.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Fitchburg State University

#10

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Top 25% in overall quality

Capella University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s list. Capella University is a private for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 79 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Capella University Criminal Justice Studies Report

#12

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, this large private for-profit school awarded 93 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice studies students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Canyon University are $11,436.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Grand Canyon University

#13

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s list. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 7 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Illinois State Criminal Justice Studies Report

#14

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Lewis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #14. Romeoville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree criminal justice studies students list, Lewis has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lewis are $14,780, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Lewis University

With a ranking of #15, Missouri Southern State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Joplin, Missouri, this medium-sized public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice studies students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri Southern State University are $6,300.

Full Missouri Southern Criminal Justice Studies Report

#16

Saint Leo University

Saint Leo, Florida
#16 in overall quality

Saint Leo University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Saint Leo, Florida, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 190 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice studies students in 2019-2020.

St. Leo University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Leo University are $14,568, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full St. Leo University Criminal Justice Studies Report

Top 25% in overall quality

Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s ranking. This large school is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and it awarded 133 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs are $14,413, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Criminal Justice Studies Report

#18

University of Wisconsin - Platteville

Platteville, Wisconsin
#20 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Platteville, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice studies students in 2019-2020.

UW - Platteville also made our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Platteville are $18,226, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at UW - Platteville

#19

University of New Haven

West Haven, Connecticut
#3 in overall quality

University of New Haven did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #19. University of New Haven is a medium-sized school located in West Haven, Connecticut that handed out 53 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

University of New Haven also made our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of New Haven are $17,610, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of New Haven Criminal Justice Studies Report

#20

Columbus State University

Columbus, Georgia
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Columbus State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s list. This medium-sized school is located in Columbus, Georgia, and it awarded 58 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree criminal justice studies students list, CSU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbus State University are $13,264, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Columbus State University Criminal Justice Studies Report

#21

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s ranking. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 5 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Cloud State University are $12,904, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Saint Cloud State University

#22

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #22, Webster University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s list. Webster University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 37 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Webster are $13,500.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Webster University

University of Houston - Downtown landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s ranking. University of Houston - Downtown is a fairly large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 22 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston - Downtown are $15,739.

Full University of Houston - Downtown Criminal Justice Studies Report

#24

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #24. Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southeast Missouri State University are $10,792, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Southeast Missouri State University

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s ranking. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice studies students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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