2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Michigan
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice students.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
Macomb Community College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice schools in Michigan. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 Henry Ford Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $13,506 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $51,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,506 median debt.
Ferris State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #4 spot 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. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $48,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Kellogg Community College one of the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,432 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $32,616. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.
Northwestern Michigan College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $17,694. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $57,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,000. Criminal Justice graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Lake Superior State University placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,890 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $18,614. Criminal Justice graduates of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bay De Noc Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Bay De Noc Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Escanaba. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214, compared with $11,453 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Bay De Noc Community College generally make around $39,075. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Michigan University earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $17,844. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $38,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $39,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Michigan State University came in at #12 for value in criminal justice this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $57,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Olivet College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the rural area of Olivet, Olivet College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,068. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Olivet College earn a median of $37,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Adrian College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice. Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. In-state tuition and fees average $41,684. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $34,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Adrian College admits about 72% of applicants.
More Criminal Justice Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
