2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Massachusetts
[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 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 Massachusetts
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
Middlesex Community College Bedford tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $10,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $6,700. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $36,706. That is a strong return on a $6,700 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Holyoke Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $5,658 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $37,533 early in their careers. Set against $5,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Shore Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $32,379 early in their careers. Set against $9,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Worcester State University one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $24,953. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Fitchburg State University landed the #6 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,426 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 Fitchburg State University generally make around $48,965. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Bridgewater State University earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. 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. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $50,327 early in their careers. Set against $26,696 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University landed the #8 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $24,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $42,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Berkshire Community College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the rural area of Pittsfield, Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,712, with out-of-state students paying around $11,328. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $16,167. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,806. That is a strong return on a $16,167 median debt.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $24,822. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $61,649. Set against $24,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,195 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Bay Path College placed #12 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. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $29,811. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $59,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $42,325. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,232. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
American International College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,230. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,408. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American International College admits about 100% of applicants.
Western New England University placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,820 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,399. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Western New England University earn a median of $41,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,399 median debt. Western New England University admits about 84% of applicants.
Fisher College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Boston, Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,689. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Fisher College earn a median of $45,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Curry College placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,570 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $83,293. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Springfield College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,974. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,500. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Springfield College earn a median of $41,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Springfield College admits about 72% of applicants.
Northeastern University came in at #20 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $22,809. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $49,316. Set against $22,809 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Dean College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Dean College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Franklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,526. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,969. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Dean College generally make around $30,780. Set against $21,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Nichols College placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Nichols College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dudley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,705. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Nichols College generally make around $45,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nichols College admits about 81% of applicants.
Endicott College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. In-state tuition and fees average $40,650. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Endicott College generally make around $38,900. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
