2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools Schools in the Outlying Areas Region

[Criminal Justice Studies Schools](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice studies schools education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice studies schools students.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools Schools in the Outlying Areas Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies schools, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools Schools
Universidad Metropolitana earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice studies schools schools in the Outlying Areas Region. Located in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies schools graduates is $16,473. Early-career criminal justice studies schools graduates make about $22,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aguadilla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,742. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies schools graduates is $5,500. Early-career criminal justice studies schools graduates make about $16,702. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies schools will find it at Universidad Del Turabo, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies schools graduates is $10,454. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies schools degree recipients from Universidad Del Turabo generally make around $28,231. That is a strong return on a $10,454 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo one of the best values for criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Arecibo, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies Schools graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies schools graduates make about $13,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo admits about 38% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce earned it the #5 place for criminal justice studies schools. Set in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the criminal justice studies schools program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies schools degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce generally make around $20,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Fajardo placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice studies schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Fajardo is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fajardo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Criminal Justice Studies Schools graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies schools graduates make about $5,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies schools value this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies schools graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies schools degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro generally make around $19,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro admits about 70% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.