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.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Wytheville Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools in Virginia. Set in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $9,542 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $38,907. Set against $9,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $16,131. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $36,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Dabney S Lancaster Community College one of the best values for criminal justice. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Median earnings reach $34,293 ten years out.
Southside Virginia Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $7,467 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $29,666. Set against $7,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Tyler Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $33,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice this year. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,495. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $46,129. That is a strong return on a $12,495 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $10,698. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt.
Central Virginia Community College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice. Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Students borrow a median of $10,384 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $32,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $9,494 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $44,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,999. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Set against $25,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $14,402. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $36,758. Set against $14,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George Mason University placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $20,761. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $49,815. Set against $20,761 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mountain Empire Community College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $9,036. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $36,988. That is a strong return on a $9,036 median debt.
Tidewater Community College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $14,795 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $26,965 early in their careers. Set against $14,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Students borrow a median of $11,768 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $40,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $18,627. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Regent University landed the #18 spot for criminal justice value this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $21,237. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $46,005. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Strayer University Virginia placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Arlington, Strayer University Virginia is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,920. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $56,937. Criminal Justice graduates of Strayer University Virginia earn a median of $43,405 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $56,937 median debt.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #20 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $38,495. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Averett University placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,550. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $29,703 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $43,494. That is a strong return on a $29,703 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Hampton University earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,592 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Hampton University earn a median of $31,335 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hampton University admits about 62% of applicants.
Marymount University came in at #23 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,120. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Marymount University earn a median of $35,642 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Shenandoah University landed the #24 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,810. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $46,816. Set against $25,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shenandoah University admits about 77% of applicants.
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.