2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Alabama

[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 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of North Alabama the best value for a degree in criminal justice in Alabama. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $31,595. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
Columbia Southern University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,224 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $23,641 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Columbia Southern University generally make around $60,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Miles College one of the best values for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Miles College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,314. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $35,881 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,627 ten years after entry. Set against $35,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Troy University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #4 spot this year. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $43,451. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
Talladega College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #5 spot this year. Talladega College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Talladega. In-state tuition and fees average $15,650. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $31,062 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Talladega College generally make around $27,568. That is a strong return on a $31,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Alabama A And M University landed the #6 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $32,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $31,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of South Alabama ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $29,026. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $36,216. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Faulkner University came in at #8 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Faulkner University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,920. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $60,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
More Criminal Justice Rankings
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.