by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in criminal justice studies, no school beat United Tribes Technical College this year. United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $5,232 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $25,292.
Minot State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Students borrow a median of $26,343 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,579. That is a strong return on a $26,343 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $38,057. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Mary came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,983. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $65,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of North Dakota came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $42,825 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
