2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the The Plains States 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 Southeast Community College Area, our #1 best value for criminal justice in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,552 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $28,473. Set against $14,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at University Of Central Missouri, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $23,279. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $41,494 early in their careers. Set against $23,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Crowder College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $9,887. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $33,869. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
Bemidji State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $23,181. Criminal Justice graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Central Christian College Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,000. Students borrow a median of $36,076 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Central Christian College Of Kansas generally make around $55,453. Set against $36,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Christian College Of Kansas admits about 53% of applicants.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies came in at #6 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,054. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $21,133 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies generally make around $39,646. That is a strong return on a $21,133 median debt.
Johnson County Community College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Students borrow a median of $20,106 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $55,171. Set against $20,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $21,972. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $32,776. Set against $21,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University came in at #9 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $20,822. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $40,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $43,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,000. Criminal Justice graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $36,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $47,898. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Metropolitan State University earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $31,213. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $54,195. That is a strong return on a $31,213 median debt. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Butler Community College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #15 spot for criminal justice value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Bellevue University came in at #16 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $65,603. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Students borrow a median of $28,076 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $65,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Waldorf College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,978 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $42,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Lincoln University Missouri came in at #20 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,796, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $37,171. Criminal Justice graduates of Lincoln University Missouri earn a median of $32,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,171 median debt.
Mount Mercy University earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,878. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $48,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Mercy University admits about 82% of applicants.
Park University landed the #22 spot for criminal justice value this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $18,299. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $49,305. Set against $18,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
York College Nebraska landed the #23 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the town of York, York College Nebraska is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $28,370. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $34,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Culver Stockton College placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice. Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,875. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Culver Stockton College generally make around $33,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Sterling College Kansas landed the #25 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the rural area of Sterling, Sterling College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,700. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Sterling College Kansas earn a median of $30,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice value ranking:
Narrow Criminal Justice Schools by State
More Criminal Justice Rankings
View All Criminal Justice Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 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.
