2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Southeast 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 214 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice studies schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,176 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $51,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilkes Community College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice studies. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $41,251. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,441. Set against $17,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Regional Technical College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice studies. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #6 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Trident Technical College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $18,116. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,557. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $49,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $39,750 early in their careers. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies this year. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnston Community College earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $7,131. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $44,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Students borrow a median of $9,984 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $38,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Wilson Community College placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the town of Wilson, Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $17,060 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $48,304. That is a strong return on a $17,060 median debt.
Edgecombe Community College came in at #16 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, compared with $8,784 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,153 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $49,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coahoma Community College came in at #17 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $29,600. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Robeson Community College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,604, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $52,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,864. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $30,235. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College placed #23 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $16,969. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. Set against $16,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dalton State College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,550 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $37,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Community College landed the #25 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Piedmont Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Roxboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,556, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Piedmont Community College earn a median of $68,517 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice studies this year:
Narrow Criminal Justice Studies Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 214 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 214 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.
