2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Maine
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Maine
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
For return on investment in criminal justice studies, no school beat Central Maine Community College this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,020 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,112. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at University Of Maine At Presque Isle, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,402 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn a median of $41,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,434 median debt. University Of Maine At Presque Isle admits about 100% of applicants.
Eastern Maine Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $17,741. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Eastern Maine Community College earn a median of $52,263 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,741 median debt.
Southern Maine Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $44,869. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Waterville, Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,824. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Thomas College generally make around $42,732. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,420. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Saint Josephs College Of Maine earn a median of $67,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
