2027 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 89 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $7,625 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $31,617. 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 Bucks County Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,169 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $28,719. That is a strong return on a $10,169 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delaware County Community College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice studies. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,163. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $57,464 early in their careers. 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 County College Of Morris, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,040 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $23,024. Set against $9,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Brookdale Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,721 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Set against $9,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lehigh Carbon Community College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $33,360. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,594, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,002 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,625. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $23,559. Set against $10,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #10 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $34,042. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Northampton County Area Community College earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $17,449. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $31,430. Set against $17,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schenectady County Community College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,190, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.
Suny Empire State College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, 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. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Saint Peters College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $23,500. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $28,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Warren County Community College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Warren County Community College earn a median of $22,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cayuga County Community College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the town of Auburn, Cayuga County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,056, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $38,709 ten years out.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $19,721. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,831. That is a strong return on a $19,721 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Westmoreland County Community College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $37,839. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #20 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,999 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,950. That is a strong return on a $25,999 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #21 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $24,672. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $39,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,672 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Herkimer County Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Herkimer County Community College generally make around $37,597. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,788 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $34,561. That is a strong return on a $25,788 median debt. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Holy Family University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,330. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $33,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
New Jersey City University placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $39,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
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
View All Criminal Justice Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 89 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.
