2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in North Carolina
[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.
College Factual analyzed 64 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Wilkes Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice studies in North Carolina. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. 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.
Cleveland Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,116. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $49,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community 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 Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $40,557 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnston Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice studies. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edgecombe Community College came in at #6 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $8,784. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $22,153 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $49,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,944 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. 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.
Piedmont Community College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,556, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Wilson Community College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Wilson, Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $17,060. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $48,304. Set against $17,060 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Robeson Community College earn a median of $52,951 early in their careers. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James Sprunt Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,264. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Rockingham Community College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,966, compared with $6,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $50,048 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Students borrow a median of $8,924 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Albemarle earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Set against $10,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $44,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. 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.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sandhills Community College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,648 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Sandhills Community College generally make around $46,492. Set against $9,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $9,537. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $47,188 early in their careers. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.
Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $13,708. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $36,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richmond Community College came in at #23 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hamlet. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,407. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $46,757. That is a strong return on a $8,407 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $28,734. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
Alamance Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $6,625. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice studies value ranking:
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. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 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.
