2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in New Jersey
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice studies students.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Passaic County Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice studies in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
A rank of #2 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $9,040. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $23,024 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 Atlantic Cape Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Students borrow a median of $12,002 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $37,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Warren County Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Warren County Community College generally make around $22,140. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. 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. Set against $9,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Peters College ranked #6 on our 2027 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. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #7 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $24,672. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $39,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey City University placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $39,470. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $35,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rutgers University Camden placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $22,431 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,182. That is a strong return on a $22,431 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $22,431. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $45,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Centenary College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,732. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Centenary College earn a median of $37,259 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Centenary College admits about 83% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #13 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University landed the #14 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $33,254. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Saint Elizabeth placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Morristown, College Of Saint Elizabeth is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,740 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,496 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $58,318. That is a strong return on a $25,496 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #16 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $22,431. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $45,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Caldwell College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,848. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $22,939. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rider University came in at #18 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,053. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Monmouth University earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Seton Hall University landed the #20 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $27,167. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Felician College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Lodi, Felician College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,300. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
