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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

41 Ranked Colleges
659 Degrees Awarded
$19,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 33,568 people earned their degree in criminal justice, making the major the 32nd most popular in the United States.

Across the Southeast region, there were 6,826 criminal justice graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 659 criminal justice graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,950 and $43,286 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 41 colleges that offered a degree in criminal justice. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent criminal justice programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the criminal justice program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

#17 in overall quality

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

USF Tampa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USF Tampa are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at USF Tampa

#2

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi
#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Mississippi. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in University, Mississippi, this large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Ole Miss not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ole Miss are $25,099, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at University of Mississippi

#3

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida
#18 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida Atlantic University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 14 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FAU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FAU are $18,482.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University

#4

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
#21 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Middle Tennessee State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Middle Tennessee State University is a large public school situated in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It awarded 13 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, Middle Tennessee State University has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Criminal Justice Report

#5

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, Georgia

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Georgia landed the #5 spot on the list. UNG is a fairly large public school situated in Dahlonega, Georgia. It awarded 7 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNG are $18,354, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNG Criminal Justice Report

#23 in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UT Chattanooga is a fairly large public school situated in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It awarded 9 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Chattanooga not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga are $18,334, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice at UT Chattanooga

#7

University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, Kentucky
#5 in overall quality

University of the Cumberlands did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 43 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Cumberlands also made our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cumberlands are $4,582, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Cumberlands

#8

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#6 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 5 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

UofSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Carolina - Columbia are $30,160, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at UofSC

#9

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#1 in overall quality

George Mason University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 8 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

GMU also took the #1 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at George Mason University are $37,410, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full George Mason University Criminal Justice Report

#10

University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Louisville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Louisville is a large public school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 27 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

UofL also took the #3 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UofL are $27,575.

Read more about Criminal Justice at UofL

#11

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Memphis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Memphis is a large school located in Memphis, Tennessee that handed out 9 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

UofM also made our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #22. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Memphis are $14,202.

Read more about Criminal Justice at UofM

#12

Mississippi College

Clinton, Mississippi
#2 in overall quality

Mississippi College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Clinton, Mississippi is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

MC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at MC are $12,322, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full MC Criminal Justice Report

#13

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

With a ranking of #13, East Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Johnson City, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at East Tennessee State University are $25,679, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice at ETSU

#14

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, Kentucky
#9 in overall quality

Eastern Kentucky University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution located in Richmond, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Eastern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern are $14,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Eastern

#15

University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama

University of North Alabama landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Florence, Alabama, this medium-sized public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Alabama are $13,860.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at University of North Alabama

#16

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia
#8 in overall quality

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Commonwealth University is located in Richmond, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

VCU also took the #8 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Commonwealth University are $29,228, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice at VCU

#17

Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, Georgia
#14 in overall quality

Georgia College & State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Georgia College & State University is a medium-sized school located in Milledgeville, Georgia that handed out 6 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, Georgia College has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia College are $20,868.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Georgia College & State University

#18

Bethel University

McKenzie, Tennessee
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Bethel University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bethel is a small school located in McKenzie, Tennessee that handed out 52 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Bethel also took the #13 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bethel are $11,382, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Bethel Criminal Justice Report

#19

North Carolina Central University

Durham, North Carolina
#24 in overall quality

North Carolina Central University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Durham, North Carolina, and it awarded 22 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Carolina Central University, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina Central University are $20,595.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at North Carolina Central University

#20

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tennessee State University is a medium-sized school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 5 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Tennessee State University are $20,860, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Tennessee State University

#21

Anderson University South Carolina

Anderson, South Carolina
#11 in overall quality

Anderson University South Carolina ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Anderson, South Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Anderson University South Carolina also made our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Anderson University South Carolina are $11,178, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Anderson University South Carolina Criminal Justice Report

#22

Troy University

Troy, Alabama
#15 in overall quality

Troy University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Troy University is a public institution located in Troy, Alabama. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 75 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

TROY did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Troy University are $16,156, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Troy University Criminal Justice Report

#23

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, Georgia
#25 in overall quality

Kennesaw State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Kennesaw State University is a large public school situated in Kennesaw, Georgia. It awarded 13 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

KSU Georgia also took the #25 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Kennesaw State University are $21,174.

Full Kennesaw State University Criminal Justice Report

#24

Charleston Southern University

Charleston, South Carolina
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Charleston Southern University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Charleston Southern University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Charleston, South Carolina. It awarded 8 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

CSU also made our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at Charleston Southern University are $7,800, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Charleston Southern University

#25

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Rocky Mount, North Carolina
#19 in overall quality

North Carolina Wesleyan College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small school located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina that handed out 15 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

North Carolina Wesleyan College also made our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina Wesleyan College are $17,920, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at North Carolina Wesleyan College

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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