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2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

313 Ranked Colleges
32,891 Degrees Awarded
$4,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 32,891 people earned their degree in criminal justice, making the major the 27th most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 313 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in criminal justice. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality criminal justice programs that also have a lower cost than 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 program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Criminal Justice (Income $30-$48k)

1

Out of the 313 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, John Jay College of Criminal Justice landed the #1 spot on the list. John Jay is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,483 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at John Jay, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for John Jay College of Criminal Justice is $2,802 for Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full John Jay College of Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Report

2
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Golden West College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Golden West College is a public institution located in Huntington Beach, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 159 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Golden West College also made our “Best Criminal Justice Schools” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Golden West College is $4,414 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Golden West College

3
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

Out of the 313 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indian River State College landed the #3 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Fort Pierce, Florida, and it awarded 44 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Indian River State College also did well on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools” list. It costs about $3,595 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indian River State College.

Full Indian River State College Criminal Justice Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Hillsborough Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 123 students in 2020-2021.

HCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools” list. It costs about $6,712 for Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Hillsborough Community College.

Full HCC Criminal Justice Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school handed out 542 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, UT Rio Grande Valley is in the top on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend UT Rio Grande Valley is $2,912 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Criminal Justice Report

6
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. SRJC is a public institution located in Santa Rosa, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 73 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SRJC also made our “Best Criminal Justice Schools” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Santa Rosa Junior College is $5,800 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Santa Rosa Junior College Criminal Justice Report

7
Mt. SAC crest
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

With a ranking of #7, Mt. San Antonio College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mt. San Antonio College is located in Walnut, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 112 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Mt. San Antonio College is $3,035 for Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Mt. San Antonio College

8
College of the Sequoias crest
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. College of the Sequoias is a fairly large school located in Visalia, California that handed out 122 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend College of the Sequoias is $1,289 for Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at College of the Sequoias

9
SWC Chula Vista crest
Southwestern College
Chula Vista, California

Southwestern College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southwestern College is located in Chula Vista, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 184 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

SWC Chula Vista excels when it comes to criminal justice quality. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $4,606 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southwestern College.

Full Southwestern College Criminal Justice Report

10
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida

With a ranking of #10, Valencia College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Valencia College is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 172 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Valencia College is also in the top of our “Best Criminal Justice Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools” list. It costs about $5,637 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Valencia College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Valencia College

11
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Oakland Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 27 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $2,762 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Oakland Community College

12
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, California

Ventura College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Ventura, California, and it awarded 170 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ventura College is $1,269 for Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Ventura College

13
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

Fresno City College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fresno City College is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 151 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Fresno City College is also in the top of our “Best Criminal Justice Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools” list. It costs about $3,014 for Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Fresno City College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Fresno City College

14
Palm Beach State College crest
Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, Florida

With a ranking of #14, Palm Beach State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Lake Worth, Florida, and it awarded 19 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Palm Beach State College is $9,727 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Palm Beach State College Criminal Justice Report

15

Orange County Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Middletown, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SUNY Orange is $3,126 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at SUNY Orange

16

Texas A&M International University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized public school situated in Laredo, Texas. It awarded 35 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,620 for Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas A&M International University.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Texas A&M International University

17
Erie Community College crest
Erie Community College
Buffalo, New York

Erie Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Erie Community College is a public institution located in Buffalo, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 73 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Erie Community College also did well on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $4,110 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Erie Community College.

Full Erie Community College Criminal Justice Report

18
Sacramento City crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, California

Sacramento City College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 132 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Sacramento City College is $5,648 for Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Sacramento City College Criminal Justice Report

18

Florida State College at Jacksonville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Florida State College at Jacksonville is a large school located in Jacksonville, Florida that handed out 47 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,502 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FSCJ.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Florida State College at Jacksonville

20
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, New York

Nassau Community College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Garden City, New York, and it awarded 171 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Nassau Community College is $3,889 for Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Nassau Community College

21
SPC crest
St Petersburg College
Clearwater, Florida

St Petersburg College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Clearwater, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SPC is $2,769 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at SPC

22
San Diego Miramar College crest
San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, California

San Diego Miramar College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego Miramar College is located in San Diego, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 123 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for San Diego Miramar College is $5,014 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full San Diego Miramar College Criminal Justice Report

23
MDC crest
Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida

Miami Dade College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 14 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Miami Dade College is $5,370 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at MDC

24
RVCC crest
Raritan Valley Community College
Branchburg, New Jersey

Raritan Valley Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Branchburg, New Jersey, this medium-sized public school awarded 69 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Raritan Valley Community College is $5,118 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Raritan Valley Community College

25

Northern Virginia Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northern Virginia Community College is a large school located in Annandale, Virginia that handed out 50 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northern Virginia Community College, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Virginia Community College is $8,407 for criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Northern Virginia Community College

Rest of the Best 47 in Best Value Criminal Justice Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 47 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Henry Ford College crest
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan
27
28
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, Texas
29
Monroe Community College crest
Monroe Community College
Rochester, New York
30
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan
31
31
33
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, Ohio
34
35
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
36
FGC crest
Florida Gateway College
Lake City, Florida
37
38
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, California
39
40
41
East Los Angeles College crest
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, California
42
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44
45
SWIC crest
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, Illinois
46
47
Union County College crest
Union County College
Cranford, New Jersey

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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