2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the New England Region
[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 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 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice students.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the New England Region
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 Massachusetts Bay Community College, our #1 best value for criminal justice in the New England Region. Located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,856, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Students borrow a median of $6,333 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $45,144. Set against $6,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,700 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $36,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holyoke Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $5,658 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $43,423. That is a strong return on a $5,658 median debt.
Rhode Island College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $38,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massasoit Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,376, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Massasoit Community College earn a median of $42,938 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Charter Oak State College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,506 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $68,956. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.
Salem State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,220. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $51,953. That is a strong return on a $26,220 median debt. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $60,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,340 median debt. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #9 spot for criminal justice value this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $24,822. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $61,649. That is a strong return on a $24,822 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Great Bay Community College earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Portsmouth, Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $17,639 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Great Bay Community College earn a median of $48,692 early in their careers. Set against $17,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Quincy College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Quincy, Quincy College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,938. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $15,600 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,506. That is a strong return on a $15,600 median debt.
Nhti Concords Community College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Concord, Nhti Concords Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Nhti Concords Community College earn a median of $40,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Plymouth State University earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice this year. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. Students from in state pay about $14,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $44,487 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas College earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice this year. Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. In-state tuition and fees average $31,824. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Thomas College earn a median of $42,174 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thomas College admits about 96% of applicants.
Norwich University earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,740. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,000. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $43,523. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Husson University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,304 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,178 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Husson University generally make around $46,523. That is a strong return on a $27,178 median debt. Husson University admits about 81% of applicants.
Boston University came in at #17 for value in criminal justice this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $63,598. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
American International College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $29,750. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $37,408. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
New England College landed the #19 spot for criminal justice value this year. New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Henniker. Students from in state pay about $27,474 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of New England College earn a median of $68,950 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Franklin Pierce University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the rural area of Rindge, Franklin Pierce University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,442. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Franklin Pierce University earn a median of $39,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Franklin Pierce University admits about 94% of applicants.
Rivier College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice value this year. Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashua. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,488. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $28,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Rivier College generally make around $60,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rivier College admits about 83% of applicants.
Anna Maria College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,571 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $81,066. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Curry College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,570. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,000. Criminal Justice graduates of Curry College earn a median of $83,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson And Wales University Providence landed the #24 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,982. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Johnson And Wales University Providence earn a median of $44,913 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson And Wales University Providence admits about 88% of applicants.
Nichols College came in at #25 for value in criminal justice this year. Nichols College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dudley. In-state tuition and fees average $42,705. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Nichols College earn a median of $45,774 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice:
Narrow Criminal Justice Schools by State
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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
