2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 83 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice the best value for a degree in criminal justice in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $62,921. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for criminal justice. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $15,500. Criminal Justice graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $46,596 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $37,728. Set against $11,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #4 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for criminal justice. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $48,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $58,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $21,243. Criminal Justice graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $74,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,243 median debt.
Purdue University Global landed the #7 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $25,137 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $51,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Peay State University earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,281. Criminal Justice graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $36,749 early in their careers. Set against $25,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #9 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $45,814. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #10 spot for criminal justice value this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $22,671. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $32,167. Set against $22,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Western Illinois University placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $49,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #12 for value in criminal justice this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $39,384 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $40,493. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $31,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $20,052. Criminal Justice graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $22,171. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $48,610. Set against $22,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $35,900 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of The Cumberlands placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $50,379. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Northeastern State University landed the #19 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,050 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $35,858. Set against $23,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Bethel University Tennessee earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,712. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $24,444. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $54,676. That is a strong return on a $24,444 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,156 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $53,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $39,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #23 spot for criminal justice value this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $36,117. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $49,871. That is a strong return on a $36,117 median debt.
Monroe College Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice. Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $18,464 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $20,975. Criminal Justice graduates of Monroe College Main Campus earn a median of $58,544 early in their careers. Set against $20,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Columbia Southern University earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,224. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $23,641. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Columbia Southern University generally make around $61,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice this year:
Other Criminal Justice Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Criminal Justice rankings across degree levels:
View All Criminal Justice Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 83 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.
