College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Louisiana

19 Colleges in the United States
$25,514 Avg Student Debt
$40,775 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Badge [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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice studies education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice studies students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Louisiana

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

1

Louisiana State University Alexandria tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools in Louisiana. Located in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,954. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Louisiana State University Alexandria earn a median of $39,917 early in their careers. Set against $26,954 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University Alexandria admits about 92% of applicants.

2

Louisiana State University Shreveport is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,327. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,300. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes Sowela Technical Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. Students from in state pay about $4,305 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $7,391. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Sowela Technical Community College earn a median of $23,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Louisiana Delta Community College, which ranked #4. Louisiana Delta Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. In-state tuition and fees average $4,159. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,024. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Louisiana Delta Community College generally make around $35,839. Set against $14,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Baton Rouge Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,321 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,597 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Baton Rouge Community College generally make around $36,066. Set against $25,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Bossier Parish Community College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bossier City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,268. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Bossier Parish Community College earn a median of $32,318 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.

7
Mcneese State University crest
Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA

Mcneese State University earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,489, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mcneese State University admits about 78% of applicants.

8

South Louisiana Community College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,950. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from South Louisiana Community College generally make around $38,854. That is a strong return on a $11,950 median debt.

9

Southern University At Shreveport ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Shreveport, Southern University At Shreveport is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,958. Students borrow a median of $18,922 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Nicholls State University came in at #10 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,149, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,513 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $43,888. That is a strong return on a $24,513 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

11
Louisiana College crest
Louisiana College
Pineville, LA

Louisiana College earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Pineville, Louisiana College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,266 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,997 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Louisiana College earn a median of $57,294 early in their careers. Set against $26,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

12

Southeastern Louisiana University placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,024. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

13

University Of Louisiana Monroe landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,190 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,290. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Louisiana Lafayette placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice studies. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $23,557. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $35,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

15

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $30,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

16

Southern University At New Orleans ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Southern University At New Orleans is a mid-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. Students from in state pay about $8,054 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,954 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $45,149 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southern University At New Orleans generally make around $39,837. That is a strong return on a $45,149 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

17

Grambling State University came in at #17 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,683, with out-of-state students paying around $16,706. Students borrow a median of $39,871 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Grambling State University generally make around $33,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

18

Southern University And A And M College placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. In-state tuition and fees average $9,922, compared with $17,272 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southern University And A And M College generally make around $36,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern University And A And M College admits about 35% of applicants.

19
Dillard University crest
Dillard University
New Orleans, LA

Dillard University placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Dillard University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Students from in state pay about $22,734 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,187 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Dillard University generally make around $26,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

View All Criminal Justice Studies Rankings >

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 · 19 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options