2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 112 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for criminal justice studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $7,625. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $31,617. Set against $7,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bucks County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,169 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $28,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Brookdale Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $9,721. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Delaware County Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $14,163 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $57,464 early in their careers. Set against $14,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes County College Of Morris one of the best values for criminal justice studies. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,040 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $23,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $33,360. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $17,449. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $31,430. Set against $17,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schenectady County Community College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,190, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.
New Jersey City University came in at #9 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $39,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Passaic County Community College placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $23,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,764. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Westmoreland County Community College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Warren County Community College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,460, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,875. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $22,140. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland University College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,062. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $55,479. Set against $25,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $34,042 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Peters College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $28,558. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cayuga County Community College earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Cayuga County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Auburn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,056, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,709 ten years after entry.
Suny Empire State College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $23,693. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coppin State University landed the #19 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $7,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $31,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,594, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Herkimer County Community College placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Herkimer. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Herkimer County Community College generally make around $37,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holy Family University earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of $33,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,892 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $19,721. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Set against $19,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Frostburg State University earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,844. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #25 for value in criminal justice studies this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,888. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice studies:
Narrow Criminal Justice Studies Schools by State
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 112 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.
