[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 277 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice students.
Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for criminal justice in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $37,284 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #2. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $14,917 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Indian River State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $43,351 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Texas A And M University Central Texas one of the best values for criminal justice. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $45,976. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #5 spot this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $30,739 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #6 for value in criminal justice this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,644 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $32,899. That is a strong return on a $11,644 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University came in at #7 for value in criminal justice this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,016 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $44,051. That is a strong return on a $18,016 median debt.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #8 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,000. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $39,833. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Dalton State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $10,550. Criminal Justice graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $37,856 early in their careers. Set against $10,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Northwest came in at #10 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,471 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $48,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
Ferris State University landed the #11 spot for criminal justice value this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,260. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $44,897. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $35,647 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Atlanta Metropolitan State College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice this year. Atlanta Metropolitan State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,248, while out-of-state students pay about $10,400. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,529. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University landed the #14 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $54,785. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Universidad Del Turabo earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Students borrow a median of $15,408 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Universidad Del Turabo generally make around $28,231. That is a strong return on a $15,408 median debt.
American Public University System came in at #16 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,409 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rhode Island College came in at #17 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $21,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $38,163. Set against $21,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Georgia Highlands College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice this year. Georgia Highlands College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rome. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $10,080. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $15,134. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Georgia Highlands College generally make around $56,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Global earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $40,244 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $45,984. Set against $40,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Georgia landed the #20 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,363 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $41,598. Set against $22,363 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Colegio Universitario De San Juan placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice. Colegio Universitario De San Juan is a small public school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $2,340. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $26,510. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #22 for value in criminal justice this year. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $23,950 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $41,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University East ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $28,686 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $45,204. Set against $28,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Polk State College came in at #24 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,694 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,818. Students borrow a median of $15,769 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Polk State College earn a median of $40,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $20,300 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $44,016. That is a strong return on a $20,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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 · 277 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 277 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice education at a price that pays off.
