2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in New York
[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice studies students.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Suffolk County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice studies schools in New York. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $7,625 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $31,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,625 median debt.
Schenectady 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 city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,190, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.
A rank of #3 makes Suny Westchester Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cayuga County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Auburn, Cayuga County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,056, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $38,709 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Suny College At Buffalo, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $34,042. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Herkimer County Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Herkimer. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $12,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Herkimer County Community College earn a median of $37,597 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Empire State College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. 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. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Potsdam ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,999 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,950. Set against $25,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,892, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,721 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,831. Set against $19,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Fredonia placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $30,168 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Students borrow a median of $21,660 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $35,495 early in their careers. Set against $21,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Plattsburgh landed the #12 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Students borrow a median of $25,940 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $35,527 early in their careers. Set against $25,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #13 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $34,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Delhi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,772, compared with $12,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $19,872. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Delhi generally make around $38,416. That is a strong return on a $19,872 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Morrisville State College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Morrisville State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Morrisville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $19,245. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Morrisville State College generally make around $37,775. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Suny College At Oneonta came in at #17 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,781. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $19,740. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $32,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
St Francis College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, St Francis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,775. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $33,146. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hilbert College landed the #19 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Hamburg, Hilbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,740. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,196. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Molloy College came in at #20 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,790. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,483. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Adelphi University placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,775. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $34,240. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #22 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
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. 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
