2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in New York
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 48 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in New York
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
Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for criminal justice in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $50,103. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,167. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $29,606. That is a strong return on a $6,167 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bronx Community College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,021. Criminal Justice graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $28,940 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,021 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,750 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $25,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ulster County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $13,206. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $51,069. That is a strong return on a $13,206 median debt.
Cuny Hostos Community College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, while out-of-state students pay about $8,134. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $6,256 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $28,343. Set against $6,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $56,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $29,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange County Community College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $36,111. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Niagara County Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $27,970. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Greene Community College placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice. Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hudson. Students from in state pay about $6,048 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,448. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $19,168. Criminal Justice graduates of Columbia Greene Community College earn a median of $34,411 early in their careers. Set against $19,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice value this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,938 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $51,676 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $10,700. Criminal Justice graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $30,093 early in their careers. Set against $10,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Genesee Community College landed the #14 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,500. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Genesee Community College generally make around $38,483. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Corning Community College earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice this year. Corning Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Corning. In-state tuition and fees average $6,534, with out-of-state students paying around $10,326. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Corning Community College generally make around $33,166. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Onondaga Community College came in at #16 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $27,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schenectady County Community College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.
Mohawk Valley Community College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $36,754. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockland Community College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $10,510. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $29,633. Set against $10,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sullivan County Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake, Sullivan County Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,468 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,132. Students borrow a median of $15,950 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Sullivan County Community College earn a median of $31,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jamestown Community College earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice this year. Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Jamestown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Students borrow a median of $15,876 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $39,561. That is a strong return on a $15,876 median debt.
Jefferson Community College earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Watertown, Jefferson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,264 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,700. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,620. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Jefferson Community College generally make around $34,219. Set against $12,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Herkimer County Community College placed #23 among the best values for criminal justice. Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Herkimer. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,000. Criminal Justice graduates of Herkimer County Community College earn a median of $37,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Tompkins Cortland Community College earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the rural area of Dryden, Tompkins Cortland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,970, compared with $12,855 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Tompkins Cortland Community College earn a median of $48,393 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercy College came in at #25 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $34,472. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice this year:
More Criminal Justice Rankings
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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
