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2023 Best Value Colleges for Criminal Justice Studies in the Plains States Region

49 Ranked Colleges
2,506 Degrees Awarded
$14,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Criminal Justice Studies is the 16th most popular major in the country with 46,814 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Plains States region, there were 2,506 criminal justice studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 49 colleges that offered a degree in criminal justice studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent criminal justice studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the criminal justice studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The criminal justice studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region criminal justice studies students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Criminal Justice Studies in the Plains States Region

1
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Century College landed the #1 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and it awarded 27 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region criminal justice studies students list, Century College has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $10,397 for plains states region criminal justice studies students.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Century College

2
Normandale Community College crest
Normandale Community College
Bloomington, Minnesota

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Normandale Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Normandale Community College is a medium-sized school located in Bloomington, Minnesota that handed out 20 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Normandale Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Normandale Community College is $10,854 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Normandale Community College

3

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 62 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice studies students in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University also made our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $16,998 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

4
IHCC crest
Inver Hills Community College
Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Inver Hills Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region. Located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region criminal justice studies students list, IHCC has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Inver Hills Community College is $11,570 for plains states region criminal justice studies students.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at IHCC

5
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Metropolitan State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Metropolitan State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 67 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Metro State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,044 for plains states region criminal justice studies students per year to attend Metro State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Metro State Criminal Justice Studies Report

6
North Hennepin Community College crest
North Hennepin Community College
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

North Hennepin Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. North Hennepin Community College is a public institution located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,081 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students per year to attend North Hennepin Community College.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at North Hennepin Community College

7
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Capella University is a private for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 166 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Capella University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,545 for plains states region criminal justice studies students per year to attend Capella University.

Full Capella University Criminal Justice Studies Report

8
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Minot, North Dakota, and it awarded 43 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,205 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students per year to attend Minot State University.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Minot State University

9

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 20 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $17,159 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Minnesota State University - Mankato

10

Des Moines Area Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #10. DMACC is located in Ankeny, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

DMACC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $9,557 for plains states region criminal justice studies students per year to attend Des Moines Area Community College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at DMACC

11
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Bemidji State University is a small public school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 69 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $16,033 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Bemidji State University Criminal Justice Studies Report

12
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #12, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 61 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice studies students in 2020-2021.

UND also made our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend UND is $16,966 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at University of North Dakota

13
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. WSC is a small public school situated in Wayne, Nebraska. It awarded 58 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,141 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students per year to attend WSC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at WSC

14
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #14, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 80 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University also took the #11 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,581 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students per year to attend St. Cloud State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full St. Cloud State University Criminal Justice Studies Report

15
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. USD is a medium-sized public school situated in Vermillion, South Dakota. It awarded 41 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,389 for plains states region criminal justice studies students per year to attend University of South Dakota.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full USD Criminal Justice Studies Report

16
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Winona State is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 38 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $17,634 for plains states region criminal justice studies students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Winona State

17
Western Dakota Tech crest
Western Dakota Technical Institute
Rapid City, South Dakota

Western Dakota Technical Institute landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small school located in Rapid City, South Dakota that handed out 9 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Western Dakota Tech is $15,434 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Western Dakota Technical Institute

18

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #18. UNOMAHA is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 280 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA also took the #7 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $13,914 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at UNOMAHA

19
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice studies students in 2020-2021.

Webster did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Webster is $23,248 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Webster Criminal Justice Studies Report

20
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Kirksville, Missouri, this small public school handed out 35 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice studies students in 2020-2021.

Truman State also made our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend Truman State University is $12,301 for plains states region criminal justice studies students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Truman State Criminal Justice Studies Report

21

With a ranking of #21, Metropolitan Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice studies degrees to 30 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Metropolitan Community College is $4,315 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at MCC

22

Southeast Community College Area ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice studies degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Community College is $7,190 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students.

Full Southeast Community College Criminal Justice Studies Report

23
Peru State crest
Peru State College
Peru, Nebraska

With a ranking of #23, Peru State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Peru State College is a public institution located in Peru, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Peru State is $14,220 for plains states region criminal justice studies students.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Peru State

24

Iowa State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice studies degrees to 135 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $16,002 for plains states region criminal justice studies students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Iowa State

25

Minneapolis Community and Technical College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a medium-sized school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 16 ’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Minneapolis Community and Technical College is $12,908 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice Studies students.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Minneapolis Community and Technical College

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