2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 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 Pennsylvania
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
Bucks County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice studies schools in Pennsylvania. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,169. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $28,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,169 median debt.
Delaware County Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh Carbon Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot 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. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $33,360. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Northampton County Area Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. 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. 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 Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Holy Family University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,330 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $33,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
Westmoreland County Community College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,000. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania came in at #8 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in the suburb of Lincoln University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,512, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $28,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,268, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,888 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,966. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $36,208. Set against $26,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton came in at #12 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton is a small public school located in the suburb of Hazleton. Students from in state pay about $15,208 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton earn a median of $46,109 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton admits about 96% of applicants.
Mercyhurst College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,770. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $19,274. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $38,557. That is a strong return on a $19,274 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $38,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $37,240 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Central Pennsylvania College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Summerdale, Central Pennsylvania College is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,854. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $47,319. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Central Pennsylvania College generally make around $40,145. Set against $47,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Pennsylvania College admits about 18% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $37,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Lackawanna College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,400. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Lackawanna College generally make around $37,408. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Schuylkill came in at #19 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Schuylkill is a small public school located in the town of Schuylkill Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Schuylkill generally make around $37,240. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Rosemont College came in at #20 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Rosemont College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rosemont. Students from in state pay about $23,854 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,211 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $55,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rosemont College admits about 76% of applicants.
La Roche College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Pittsburgh, La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,052. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of La Roche College earn a median of $35,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. La Roche College admits about 76% of applicants.
Seton Hill University placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,944. Students borrow a median of $26,556 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $53,485. Set against $26,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seton Hill University admits about 80% of applicants.
Gannon University placed #23 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Students borrow a median of $24,594 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $39,788. Set against $24,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona landed the #24 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Altoona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #25 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice studies value ranking:
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
