2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Pennsylvania
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice students.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
Leading the list is Lehigh Carbon Community College, our #1 best value for criminal justice in Pennsylvania. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $33,360. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Butler County Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,910, while out-of-state students pay about $12,000. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $41,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg one of the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $37,916 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for criminal justice. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $37,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,513. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $42,972 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington came in at #6 for value in criminal justice this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,268, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $37,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton landed the #7 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the suburb of Hazleton, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton generally make around $37,240. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton admits about 96% of applicants.
York College Pennsylvania earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice this year. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $42,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Waynesburg University came in at #9 for value in criminal justice this year. Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waynesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $37,582. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Mercyhurst College placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,770. Students borrow a median of $19,274 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $38,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #11 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $37,240. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Schuylkill came in at #12 for value in criminal justice this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Schuylkill is a small public school located in the town of Schuylkill Haven. Students from in state pay about $15,208 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Schuylkill earn a median of $37,240 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Lackawanna College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,400. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Lackawanna College generally make around $35,280. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robert Morris University landed the #14 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,770. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,748. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $58,900. That is a strong return on a $26,748 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona came in at #15 for value in criminal justice this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Altoona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona earn a median of $37,240 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $24,750. Criminal Justice graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $40,025 early in their careers. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice this year. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Williamsport. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Students borrow a median of $24,371 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $52,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chestnut Hill College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,870 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $37,125 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $46,417. Set against $37,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Alvernia University landed the #19 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,000. Students borrow a median of $30,250 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $39,940. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Temple University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,000. Criminal Justice graduates of Temple University earn a median of $54,642 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Delaware Valley College earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Doylestown, Delaware Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,850 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,455. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Delaware Valley College generally make around $39,673. That is a strong return on a $25,455 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in criminal justice this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 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 $37,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
More Criminal Justice Rankings
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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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
