2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Associate’s Degree Schools
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 747 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice schools.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
College Of San Mateo tops our 2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, 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 Grossmont College one of the best values for criminal justice. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #3 place for criminal justice. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #4 spot this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $33,692. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $17,075. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,187 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $29,467. That is a strong return on a $6,187 median debt.
Moreno Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,643. Criminal Justice graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $81,339 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $28,492 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gavilan College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice this year. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $11,760. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $31,146. Set against $11,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Reedley College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $22,722. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $11,196. Criminal Justice graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $111,649. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt.
Victor Valley College came in at #17 for value in criminal justice this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $7,995. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $31,600. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chabot College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $14,308. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Irvine Valley College earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the criminal justice program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #21 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $10,288. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $28,851. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $13,506 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $51,827. That is a strong return on a $13,506 median debt.
Golden West College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Riverside City College earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $25,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $15,796. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $60,055. That is a strong return on a $15,796 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice:
Other Criminal Justice Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Criminal Justice rankings across degree levels:
View All Criminal Justice Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 747 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 91 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
