2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Iowa
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice students.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Iowa
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
University Of Northern Iowa tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools in Iowa. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $43,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Waldorf College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice. 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. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Waldorf College generally make around $42,735. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #3 makes Mount Mercy University one of the best values for criminal justice. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,878. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $48,841. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Mercy University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Saint Ambrose University one of the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,528 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $43,579. Set against $27,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
More Criminal Justice Rankings
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
