by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Leading the list is Crowder College, our #1 best value for criminal justice in Missouri. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $9,887. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $33,869. Set against $9,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $23,279. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $41,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned it the #3 place for criminal justice. 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. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $21,133. 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.
A rank of #4 makes Missouri Southern State University one of the best values for criminal justice. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $21,972. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $32,776. That is a strong return on a $21,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #5 makes Missouri State University Springfield one of the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $24,408. Criminal Justice graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $36,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Park University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $18,299 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Park University generally make around $49,305. That is a strong return on a $18,299 median debt.
Lincoln University Missouri ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,796, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $37,171 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $32,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Culver Stockton College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice this year. Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Canton. Students from in state pay about $30,875 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Columbia College Missouri landed the #10 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. Students borrow a median of $27,344 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri generally make around $46,741. Set against $27,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences came in at #11 for value in criminal justice this year. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. In-state tuition and fees average $28,620. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences earn a median of $36,223 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Webster University landed the #12 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,939. Criminal Justice graduates of Webster University earn a median of $57,152 early in their careers. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.