Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

40 Ranked Colleges
1,343 Degrees Awarded
$8,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Criminal Justice & Corrections is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 6th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 113,581 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, criminal justice and corrections graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $31,952 and had an average of $24,936 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 6,120 criminal justice and corrections graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,044 and $27,500 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 1,343 criminal justice and corrections graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,069 and $19,434 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 40 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in criminal justice and corrections. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality criminal justice and corrections programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the criminal justice and corrections program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice & Corrections (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Metropolitan Community College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 56 students in 2019-2020.

MCC also took the #7 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MCC is $2,894 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Metropolitan Community College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

Out of the 40 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeast Community College Area landed the #2 spot on the list. Southeast Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 23 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Southeast Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Community College Area is $6,946 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Southeast Community College Area

#3

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Hennepin Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. North Hennepin Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. It awarded 63 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

North Hennepin Community College also took the #2 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Hennepin Community College is $8,674 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at North Hennepin Community College

#4

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Century College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. White Bear Lake, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 75 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, Century College has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Century College is $9,460 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Century College

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Alexandria Technical & Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. ATCC is located in Alexandria, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 76 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

ATCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Alexandria Technical & Community College is $10,676 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full ATCC Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#6

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, Nebraska

Northeast Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Norfolk, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school awarded 33 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Northeast also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Northeast is $6,726 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northeast Community College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized school located in Sioux City, Iowa that handed out 17 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western Iowa Tech Community College, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Iowa Tech Community College is $5,665 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Western Iowa Tech Community College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#8

Jefferson College

Hillsboro, Missouri

Jefferson College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Jefferson College is a public institution located in Hillsboro, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

JeffCo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for JeffCo is $7,009 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full JeffCo Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#9

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, Minnesota

Normandale Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Normandale Community College is a public institution located in Bloomington, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 36 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Normandale Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Normandale Community College is $10,860 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Normandale Community College

#10

Inver Hills Community College

Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

Inver Hills Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. IHCC is located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 40 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

IHCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for IHCC is $9,395 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at IHCC

Des Moines Area Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Ankeny, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 36 students in 2019-2020.

DMACC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Des Moines Area Community College is $7,776 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Des Moines Area Community College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#12

Hibbing Community College

Hibbing, Minnesota

Hibbing Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hibbing Community College is a public institution located in Hibbing, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $8,543 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hibbing Community College.

Full Hibbing Community College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#13

Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 27 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Saint Louis Community College is $5,930 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Saint Louis Community College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#14

Lake Region State College

Devils Lake, North Dakota

Lake Region State College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Devils Lake, North Dakota, this small public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Lake Region State College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,191 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lake Region State College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Lake Region State College

Missouri Southern State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Missouri Southern State University is a public institution located in Joplin, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 77 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, Missouri Southern has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,882 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri Southern.

Full Missouri Southern State University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#16

Lake Area Technical Institute

Watertown, South Dakota

Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Watertown, South Dakota, this small public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

LATI also took the #8 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Area Technical Institute is $9,287 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at LATI

Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend MCC is $6,298 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at MCC

Indian Hills Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IHCC is a small school located in Ottumwa, Iowa that handed out 11 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for IHCC is $5,644 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at IHCC

Iowa Central Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fort Dodge, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Iowa Central Community College is $7,979 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Iowa Central Community College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This small school is located in Cloquet, Minnesota, and it awarded 24 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is $8,086 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

#21

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa

Hawkeye Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hawkeye Community College is located in Waterloo, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Hawkeye Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Hawkeye Community College is $9,084 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Hawkeye Community College

#22

Mineral Area College

Park Hills, Missouri

Mineral Area College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mineral Area College is located in Park Hills, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $8,627 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mineral Area College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at MAC

#23

Central Lakes College - Brainerd

Brainerd, Minnesota

Central Lakes College - Brainerd ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Brainerd, Minnesota, and it awarded 13 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Lakes College also took the #21 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Lakes College is $10,592 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Central Lakes College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

Rochester Community and Technical College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Rochester, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rochester Community and Technical College, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rochester Community and Technical College is $12,365 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Rochester Community and Technical College

#25

Western Dakota Technical Institute

Rapid City, South Dakota

Western Dakota Technical Institute did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in Rapid City, South Dakota, and it awarded 30 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Western Dakota Tech also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $12,453 for plains states region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Dakota Technical Institute.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Western Dakota Tech

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Featured Criminal Justice Administration Schools

Find Schools Near You