2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Indiana

1

Indiana University Northwest
Gary, IN

Our analysis ranked Indiana University Northwest the best value for a degree in criminal justice in Indiana. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,471 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $24,471 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

2

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Indiana University Kokomo, which ranked #2. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. 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 $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. The acceptance rate is 86%.

3

Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN

Indiana University Southeast came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. 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. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $23,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. That is a strong return on a $23,950 median debt. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.

4

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $20,300 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $46,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

5

Indiana University East
Richmond, IN

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Indiana University East, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. 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 $28,686 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $45,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.

6

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,137 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $52,005. Set against $25,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana landed the #7 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $39,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.

8

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,464 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $35,572. Set against $19,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

9

Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies came in at #9 for value in criminal justice this year. Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,896. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $37,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies generally make around $35,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Indiana Institute Of Technology
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana Institute Of Technology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,361. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $37,273. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $56,185. That is a strong return on a $37,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.