by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Copiah Lincoln Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice in Mississippi. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Itawamba Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #2 spot this year. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $32,996. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Northwest Mississippi Community College, which ranked #3. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Senatobia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $9,990. Criminal Justice graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,171 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $40,243 early in their careers. Set against $22,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Mississippi College one of the best values for criminal justice. Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $37,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.