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

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 Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 41 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in criminal justice. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great criminal justice programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the criminal justice program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college 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 a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

#17 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 32 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 $30-$48k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #17 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 USF Tampa are $21,126.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#2

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi
#12 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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Mississippi landed the #2 spot on the list. Ole Miss is a large school located in University, Mississippi that handed out 19 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Ole Miss also made our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Mississippi are $25,099, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ole Miss Criminal Justice Report

#3

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida
#18 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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida Atlantic University landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 14 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

FAU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Atlantic University are $18,482, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University

#4

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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Georgia landed the #4 spot on the list. UNG is a fairly large school located in Dahlonega, Georgia that handed out 7 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNG are $18,354, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice at UNG

#5

University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, Kentucky
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of the Cumberlands. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and it awarded 43 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cumberlands, the school also landed the #5 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 University of the Cumberlands are $4,582.

Full Cumberlands Criminal Justice Report

#6

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee
#21 in overall quality

Middle Tennessee State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this large public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Middle Tennessee State University, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Criminal Justice Report

#7

University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky
#3 in overall quality

University of Louisville came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Louisville, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UofL, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Louisville are $27,575, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice at University of Louisville

#8

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, George Mason University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. GMU is located in Fairfax, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

GMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at GMU are $37,410.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at GMU

#23 in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. This fairly large school is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it awarded 9 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 $30-$48k list, UT Chattanooga has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga are $18,334, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

#10

Mississippi College

Clinton, Mississippi
#2 in overall quality

Mississippi College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mississippi College is located in Clinton, Mississippi and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

MC also took the #2 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mississippi College are $12,322, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Mississippi College

#11

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
#22 in overall quality

University of Memphis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k list, UofM has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UofM are $14,202, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at University of Memphis

#12

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, Kentucky
#9 in overall quality

Eastern Kentucky University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Eastern is located in Richmond, Kentucky and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k list, Eastern has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern are $14,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Eastern Kentucky University Criminal Justice Report

#13

University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama

University of North Alabama came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNA is located in Florence, Alabama and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Alabama are $13,860, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNA Criminal Justice Report

#14

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

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 full report on Criminal Justice at East Tennessee State University

#15

Bethel University

McKenzie, Tennessee
#13 in overall quality

Bethel University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bethel University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in McKenzie, Tennessee. It awarded 52 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bethel, the school also landed 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Bethel

#16

Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, Georgia
#14 in overall quality

Georgia College & State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Georgia College & State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Milledgeville, Georgia. It awarded 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 $30-$48k list, Georgia College has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia College & State University are $20,868, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Georgia College & State University

#17

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#6 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. University of South Carolina - Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UofSC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UofSC are $30,160, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of South Carolina - Columbia Criminal Justice Report

#18

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Virginia Commonwealth University is a large public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 4 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

VCU also made our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. 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 Virginia Commonwealth University

#19

North Carolina Central University

Durham, North Carolina
#24 in overall quality

North Carolina Central University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

North Carolina Central University also made our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #24. 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 more about Criminal Justice at North Carolina Central University

#20

Charleston Southern University

Charleston, South Carolina
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, 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 $30-$48k list. CSU is located in Charleston, South Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

CSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Charleston Southern University are $7,800.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at CSU

#21

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Tennessee State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 5 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Tennessee State University are $20,860.

Full Tennessee State University 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 $30-$48k ranking. Located in Troy, Alabama, this fairly large public school awarded 75 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

TROY also took the #15 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at TROY 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 $30-$48k 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.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k list, KSU Georgia has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at KSU Georgia are $21,174, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full KSU Georgia Criminal Justice Report

#24

Anderson University South Carolina

Anderson, South Carolina
#11 in overall quality

Anderson University South Carolina did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Anderson University South Carolina is a private not-for-profit institution located in Anderson, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Anderson University South Carolina did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Anderson University South Carolina are $11,178, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Anderson University South Carolina Criminal Justice Report

#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 $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and it awarded 15 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

North Carolina Wesleyan College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina Wesleyan College are $17,920.

Full North Carolina Wesleyan College Criminal Justice Report

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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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