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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice & Corrections (Income $0-$30k)

251 Ranked Colleges
6,653 Degrees Awarded
$23,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 6,653 criminal justice and corrections graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 251 colleges that offered a degree in criminal justice and corrections. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent criminal justice and corrections programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the criminal justice and corrections program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice & Corrections (Income $0-$30k)

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Chicago

Out of the 251 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, John Jay College of Criminal Justice landed the #2 spot on the list. John Jay is a fairly large public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 208 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

John Jay also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at John Jay College of Criminal Justice are $20,962.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at John Jay

#3

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 89 students in 2019-2020.

Florida State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Florida State Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A & M University - Central Texas. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Killeen, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A & M University - Central Texas are $13,561, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Texas A & M University - Central Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Central Florida. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Orlando, Florida, this large public school awarded 88 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCF, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCF are $28,657.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at UCF

Florida International University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 27 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at FIU

With a ranking of #7, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. USF Tampa is a large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 32 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of South Florida - Main Campus

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at UT Rio Grande Valley

#9

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Michigan State is also in the top of our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Michigan State

#10

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northeastern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern are $25,558, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Northeastern

Top 20% in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

CSULB also claimed a top spot on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSULB Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#12

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pensacola, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UWF are $24,894, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at UWF

Texas A&M International University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Laredo, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M International University are $15,106, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Texas A&M International University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#14

University of Wisconsin - Platteville

Platteville, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #14, University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Platteville, Wisconsin, and it awarded 39 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UW - Platteville also did well on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Platteville are $18,226, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at UW - Platteville

#15

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Florida is a fairly large school located in Jacksonville, Florida that handed out 26 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNF are $21,930, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Florida Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Stan State is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 3 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Stanislaus are $18,540, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Stan State

#17

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

With a ranking of #17, Ferris State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Big Rapids, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ferris are $7,908, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Ferris State University

University of North Texas at Dallas landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNT Dallas is located in Dallas, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas at Dallas are $13,681, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of North Texas at Dallas

#19

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 123 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston University are $57,666, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Boston U

#20

University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Lowell, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts - Lowell landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lowell, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 97 students in 2019-2020.

UMass Lowell also took the #5 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMass Lowell are $26,990, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at UMass Lowell

#21

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

With a ranking of #21, Washington State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Pullman, Washington, this large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wazzu are $27,561, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Wazzu

#22

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 121 students in 2019-2020.

American Military University also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at American Military University are $7,050.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at American Military University

#23

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

With a ranking of #23, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Denton, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNT Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 20 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#25

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

Franklin University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Franklin University are $16,080.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Franklin University

Rest of the Best 38 in Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 38 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California
#27

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida
#29

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi
#31

Columbus State University

Columbus, Georgia
#32

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia
#33

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, Louisiana
#36

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida
#37

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

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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.

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