by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 237 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is College Of San Mateo, our #1 best value for criminal justice in the United States. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #2 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the criminal justice program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macomb Community College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at West Valley College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. 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. 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.
Modesto Junior College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice value this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $8,575. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $28,102. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
College Of The Canyons ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $9,776. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. 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 $20,250. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice this year. Grossmont College is a very large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Victor Valley College earned the #10 position 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $7,995. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $22,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Pasadena City College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $9,191. Criminal Justice graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $28,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Yuba College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,176 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $51,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #17 for value in criminal justice this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $12,654 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $33,013 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,654 median debt.
Santa Monica College placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Cerritos College landed the #19 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Hartnell College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $34,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,275. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #23 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $28,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,952. Criminal Justice graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Antelope Valley College placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $9,970. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Antelope Valley College generally make around $28,211. That is a strong return on a $9,970 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice this year:
Explore the best-value criminal justice schools at other degree levels:
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 · 237 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 237 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.