2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the The Plains States 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 70 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 The Plains States 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
Our analysis ranked Central Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice studies in the The Plains States Region. Central Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,547. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Hawkeye Community College, which ranked #3. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $49,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Riverland Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,732. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Metropolitan Community College Area one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $13,462 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $28,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $14,473 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $42,555. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Ridgewater College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,556. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $49,040 early in their careers. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #9 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,552 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $28,473. Set against $14,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $19,366. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Century College earn a median of $54,174 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,366 median debt.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #11 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $28,708. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $64,894 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Kirkwood Community College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,779 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,061 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,250 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $53,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Normandale Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,891 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,891 median debt.
Inver Hills Community College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,690 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Inver Hills Community College earn a median of $52,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,690 median debt.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $18,197. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $42,972 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truman State University landed the #18 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,997 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $32,176. Set against $21,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #19 for value in criminal justice studies this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $22,561 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $45,897. Set against $22,561 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Harris Stowe State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,008, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $32,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $34,108. Set against $32,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Cloud State University placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $49,412. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $28,750. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $42,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
United Tribes Technical College landed the #23 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Bismarck, United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,232 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $25,292 ten years out.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College landed the #24 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,665 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $51,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Peru State College earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,433. Students borrow a median of $27,367 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $38,953. That is a strong return on a $27,367 median debt.
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
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 70 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.
