[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 530 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice schools.
Finding the Best Value Criminal Justice School for You
Where you study criminal justice affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Criminal Justice Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Criminal Justice Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
College Of San Mateo tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools in the United States. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the criminal justice program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for criminal justice. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $50,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Macomb Community College one of the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,964. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $17,075. Criminal Justice graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes West Valley College one of the best values for criminal justice. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Modesto Junior College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $28,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $9,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $51,825. That is a strong return on a $9,176 median debt.
St Petersburg College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $14,080. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Set against $14,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #10 spot for criminal justice value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $14,917 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $42,421. Set against $14,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Yuba College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice value this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $8,729. Criminal Justice graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $62,350 early in their careers. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Victor Valley College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Ventura College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,994 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $57,185. Set against $10,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College came in at #17 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $28,492. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $24,750. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $45,976. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Irvine Valley College landed the #19 spot for criminal justice value this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $15,789. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $47,631. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #22 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $15,796. Criminal Justice graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $60,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,796 median debt.
Santa Monica College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Cerritos College landed the #24 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Hartnell College placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $34,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 530 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 530 ranked schools only.
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).
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
