by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 52 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Our analysis ranked Macomb Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,964. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $38,758. That is a strong return on a $6,964 median debt.
Oakland Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $13,506 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $51,827. That is a strong return on a $13,506 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Henry Ford Community College one of the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $15,200. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $26,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Kokomo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $39,833 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Northwest landed the #6 spot for criminal justice value this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,471 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University landed the #7 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $21,880 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $48,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,880 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Kellogg Community College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,118, with out-of-state students paying around $8,282. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $20,432. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $16,350 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $35,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,350 median debt.
Purdue University Global ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,137. Criminal Justice graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $52,005 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,000. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kaskaskia College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Northwestern Michigan College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice this year. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. Students from in state pay about $5,860 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $17,694 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $57,015. That is a strong return on a $17,694 median debt.
Washington State Community College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,128 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $16,291. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Washington State Community College generally make around $45,305. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.
Indiana University Southeast landed the #15 spot for criminal justice value this year. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $23,950. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $41,898. Set against $23,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Central Ohio Technical College earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, with out-of-state students paying around $8,016. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $16,779. Criminal Justice graduates of Central Ohio Technical College earn a median of $40,065 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University East landed the #17 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $28,686 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $45,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,686 median debt. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice value this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $14,250. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $49,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #19 spot for criminal justice value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $20,300. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $46,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Owens Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $51,319. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Zane State College landed the #22 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $8,556. Criminal Justice graduates of Zane State College earn a median of $35,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,556 median debt.
Lake Superior State University came in at #23 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $18,614 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $44,286. Set against $18,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami University Hamilton came in at #24 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $23,505. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $36,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Illinois University landed the #25 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $45,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice this year:
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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.