2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Massachusetts
[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 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
Bristol Community College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice schools in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,700. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $36,706. That is a strong return on a $6,700 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massachusetts Bay Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $45,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Holyoke Community College one of the best values for criminal justice. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $5,658 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $43,423 early in their careers. Set against $5,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Massasoit Community College one of the best values for criminal justice. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $42,938. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salem State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #5 spot this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,220. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $51,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #6 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $24,822 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $61,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Quincy College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice this year. Quincy College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Quincy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,938. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $15,600 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,506 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,600 median debt.
Boston University earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,232. Criminal Justice graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
American International College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice this year. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from American International College generally make around $37,408. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. American International College admits about 100% of applicants.
Anna Maria College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,571. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Anna Maria College generally make around $81,066. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Anna Maria College admits about 50% of applicants.
Curry College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,570. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Curry College generally make around $83,293. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Nichols College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Dudley, Nichols College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,705. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice graduates of Nichols College earn a median of $45,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Merrimack College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $54,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
