2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the New England 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.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Middlesex Community College Bedford tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools in the New England Region. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $41,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bristol Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $6,700 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Maine Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Central Maine Community College generally make around $43,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holyoke Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $5,658. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $37,533 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 North Shore Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,656 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $32,379. Set against $9,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rhode Island College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $38,163. Set against $21,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $23,434 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn a median of $41,148 early in their careers. Set against $23,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester State University landed the #8 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,953 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. That is a strong return on a $24,953 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Maine Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,750. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $44,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Eastern Maine Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $17,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Eastern Maine Community College generally make around $52,263. That is a strong return on a $17,741 median debt.
Capital Community College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $12,059. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Fitchburg State University landed the #12 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $48,965. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Berkshire Community College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Pittsfield, Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,712, with out-of-state students paying around $11,328. Students borrow a median of $16,167 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,806. Set against $16,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Westfield State University landed the #14 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $24,422. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $42,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University came in at #15 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,696. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $50,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #16 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $24,822 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $61,649 early in their careers. Set against $24,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #17 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $60,151 early in their careers. Set against $24,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #18 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $42,325 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Bay Path College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,302. Students borrow a median of $29,811 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $59,424. Set against $29,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bay Path College admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice studies. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $53,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Vermont Technical College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Randolph. In-state tuition and fees average $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $24,208. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $33,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vermont Technical College admits about 82% of applicants.
Plymouth State University landed the #22 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $39,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,232. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas College placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the town of Waterville, Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,824. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $42,732. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Post University earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $15,922 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,444 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Post University earn a median of $39,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 41 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
This list is compiled 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
