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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice (Income $30-$48k)

202 Ranked Colleges
12,546 Degrees Awarded
$4,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Criminal Justice is the 32nd most popular major in the country with 33,568 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

At the associate degree level specifically, there were 12,546 criminal justice graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,082 and $17,678 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 202 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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 picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k.

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

#1

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 202 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Golden West College landed the #1 spot on the list. Golden West College is a fairly large public school situated in Huntington Beach, California. It awarded 97 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Golden West College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Golden West College is $2,962 for associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Golden West College Criminal Justice Report

#2

Nassau Community College

Garden City, New York
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Nassau Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Garden City, New York, and it awarded 183 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k list, Nassau Community College has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $3,837 for Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Nassau Community College.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Nassau Community College

#13 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Eastern Gateway Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Eastern Gateway Community College is located in Steubenville, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 368 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Eastern Gateway Community College, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $3,267 for associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Eastern Gateway Community College.

Full Eastern Gateway Community College Criminal Justice Report

#4

Orange County Community College

Middletown, New York
#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Orange County Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Orange County Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Middletown, New York. It awarded 40 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SUNY Orange, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SUNY Orange is $3,358 for Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Orange County Community College

#5

Bronx Community College

Bronx, New York
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bronx Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bronx, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 202 students in 2019-2020.

BCC also made our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $5,096 for associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bronx Community College.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Bronx Community College

#6

Ventura College

Ventura, California
Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Ventura College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ventura, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 146 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $978 for Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ventura College.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Ventura College

#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Queensborough Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Bayside, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 244 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

QCC also took the #4 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $5,133 for Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend QCC.

Full Queensborough Community College Criminal Justice Report

#8

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Top 20% in overall quality

Oakland Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oakland Community College is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on this list, Oakland Community College is in the top on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $1,614 for associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Oakland Community College Criminal Justice Report

#9

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. SRJC is a fairly large school located in Santa Rosa, California that handed out 70 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

SRJC also took the #8 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SRJC is $4,975 for Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Santa Rosa Junior College

#10

Erie Community College

Buffalo, New York
#19 in overall quality

Erie Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Erie Community College is a public institution located in Buffalo, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 85 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Erie Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Erie Community College is $4,973 for associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Erie Community College Criminal Justice Report

#11

Raritan Valley Community College

Branchburg, New Jersey
#15 in overall quality

Raritan Valley Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Branchburg, New Jersey, and it awarded 76 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

RVCC also took the #15 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $5,657 for Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend RVCC.

Read more about Criminal Justice at RVCC

#12

Kingsborough Community College

Brooklyn, New York
#6 in overall quality

Kingsborough Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. KCC is a public institution located in Brooklyn, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 207 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KCC, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend KCC is $5,569 for associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full KCC Criminal Justice Report

#13

Butte College

Oroville, California
#9 in overall quality

Butte College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Butte College is located in Oroville, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 107 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Butte College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Butte College is $4,971 for associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Butte College

#14

Los Medanos College

Pittsburg, California
#11 in overall quality

Los Medanos College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Los Medanos is a medium-sized school located in Pittsburg, California that handed out 67 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Los Medanos did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $5,277 for associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Los Medanos College.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Los Medanos College

#15

St Petersburg College

Clearwater, Florida

St Petersburg College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. SPC is a large school located in Clearwater, Florida that handed out 29 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for St Petersburg College is $3,182 for Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full St Petersburg College Criminal Justice Report

#16

Cerritos College

Norwalk, California

Cerritos College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Norwalk, California, this large public school handed out 90 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,988 for associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cerritos College.

Full Cerritos College Criminal Justice Report

#17

West Valley College

Saratoga, California
Top 25% in overall quality

West Valley College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saratoga, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for West Valley College is $3,789 for Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at West Valley College

#18

LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, New York
#5 in overall quality

LaGuardia Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Long Island City, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 286 degrees to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

LaGuardia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend LaGuardia is $7,276 for associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full LaGuardia Criminal Justice Report

#19

Union County College

Cranford, New Jersey
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Union County College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Cranford, New Jersey, this medium-sized public school handed out 89 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Union County College also made our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $6,129 for Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Union County College.

Full Union County College Criminal Justice Report

#20

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, California
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Santa Ana College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Santa Ana, California, and it awarded 93 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, SAC also did well on our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Santa Ana College

#21

Rockland Community College

Suffern, New York
#2 in overall quality

Rockland Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Rockland Community College is a public institution located in Suffern, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 66 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Rockland Community College also made our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $9,197 for Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Rockland Community College.

Full Rockland Community College Criminal Justice Report

#21

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Visalia, California, this fairly large public school awarded 103 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for College of the Sequoias is $923 for Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at College of the Sequoias

#23

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indian River State College is a public institution located in Fort Pierce, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 48 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Indian River State College is $1,475 for associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Indian River State College

#16 in overall quality

Hillsborough Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. HCC is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 123 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

HCC also made our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for HCC is $4,134 for associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Hillsborough Community College

#25

Sacramento City College

Sacramento, California
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, Sacramento City College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sacramento City is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 156 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Sacramento City also took the #25 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sacramento City is $4,721 for associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Sacramento City College

Rest of the Best 31 in Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 31 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Fresno City College

Fresno, California
#27

Henry Ford College

Dearborn, Michigan
#28

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas
#29

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, California
#30

Valencia College

Orlando, Florida
#31

Moreno Valley College

Moreno Valley, California

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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