2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Kentucky
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 10 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 Kentucky
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
Northern Kentucky University earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice studies schools in Kentucky. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $35,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Kentucky State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,387, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $28,162. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $33,099 early in their careers. Set against $28,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $32,041 early in their careers. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Kentucky University earned it the #4 place for criminal justice studies. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $36,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $43,972. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Lindsey Wilson College came in at #6 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,808. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Lindsey Wilson College generally make around $29,512. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alice Lloyd College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Alice Lloyd College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Pippa Passes. In-state tuition and fees average $13,960. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,573. Alice Lloyd College admits about 75% of applicants.
Campbellsville University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,550. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $36,849 early in their careers. Set against $21,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Campbellsville University admits about 80% of applicants.
Pikeville College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,850. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $22,330. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Pikeville College generally make around $27,025. Set against $22,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sullivan University landed the #10 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $34,249 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Sullivan University earn a median of $54,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
View All Criminal Justice Studies Rankings >
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
