2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Tennessee
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 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 Tennessee
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 Dyersburg State Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice studies in Tennessee. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,758, while out-of-state students pay about $18,060. Students borrow a median of $10,611 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,177. Set against $10,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Pellissippi State Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,951. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,816. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Walters State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. In-state tuition and fees average $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,702 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $35,866 early in their careers. Set against $16,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Blountville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,782, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $6,404. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $39,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Volunteer State Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. Students from in state pay about $4,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $12,462. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Peay State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,281 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,749. That is a strong return on a $25,281 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Le Moyne Owen College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Le Moyne Owen College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,076 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $35,594 ten years out. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Tennessee placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,712. Students borrow a median of $24,444 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of $54,442 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #9 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $24,093. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $37,952. That is a strong return on a $24,093 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Lane College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Lane College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,790. Students borrow a median of $38,680 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,917. That is a strong return on a $38,680 median debt.
South College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, South College is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,535. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $24,533 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from South College generally make around $24,095. Set against $24,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bryan College Dayton placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $19,800. Students borrow a median of $25,652 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Bryan College Dayton earn a median of $44,067 early in their careers. Set against $25,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
