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2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

82 Ranked Colleges
2,139 Degrees Awarded
$21,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 113,581 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, criminal justice and corrections is the 6th most popular major in the United States. 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 Southeast region, there were 30,292 criminal justice and corrections graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,510 and $28,027 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,139 criminal justice and corrections graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,950 and $43,286 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 82 colleges that offer a degree in criminal justice and corrections. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great criminal justice and corrections programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the criminal justice and corrections program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

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

#1

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #1 spot on the list. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 89 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707.

Full Florida State University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Central Florida. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Central Florida is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 88 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCF has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCF are $28,657, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Central Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida International University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. FIU is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 27 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

FIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. 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 Florida International University

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 32 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at USF Tampa are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#5

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of West Florida. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of West Florida is a public institution located in Pensacola, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UWF are $24,894.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at UWF

#6

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and it awarded 26 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNF are $21,930.

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

#7

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. American Public University System is located in Charles Town, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 121 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

American Military University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at American Public University System are $7,050.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at American Public University System

#8

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. FGCU is a public institution located in Fort Myers, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Gulf Coast University are $31,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Florida Gulf Coast University

#9

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Ole Miss is a large public school situated in University, Mississippi. It awarded 19 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Ole Miss not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ole Miss are $25,099, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Ole Miss

#10

Columbus State University

Columbus, Georgia

Columbus State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Columbus, Georgia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 58 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbus State University are $13,264, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Columbus State University

#11

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Marshall University is a public institution located in Huntington, West Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Marshall University are $21,162, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Marshall University

#12

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, Louisiana

McNeese State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. McNeese is a medium-sized public school situated in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It awarded 26 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at McNeese are $16,386, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full McNeese Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#13

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

With a ranking of #13, Florida Atlantic University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida Atlantic University is a large school located in Boca Raton, Florida that handed out 14 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Atlantic University are $18,482.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at FAU

#14

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #14, Fayetteville State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fayetteville State University is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Fayetteville State University are $16,830, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Fayetteville State University

#15

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Middle Tennessee State University is a large public school situated in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It awarded 13 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Middle Tennessee State University

#16

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. University of North Georgia is a fairly large school located in Dahlonega, Georgia that handed out 7 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNG are $18,354, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

With a ranking of #17, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Chattanooga is a fairly large public school situated in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It awarded 9 masters’s criminal justice degrees 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 Tennessee - Chattanooga are $18,334.

Full UT Chattanooga Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#18

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#23 in overall quality

East Carolina University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. East Carolina University is located in Greenville, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, ECU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ECU are $20,685, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at ECU

#19

University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, Kentucky

University of the Cumberlands did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Williamsburg, Kentucky 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 43 students in 2019-2020.

Cumberlands also took the #12 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cumberlands are $4,582, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cumberlands Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#20

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#13 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, this large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, UofSC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UofSC are $30,160, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at UofSC

#21

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#3 in overall quality

George Mason University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fairfax, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

GMU also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at GMU are $37,410, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full George Mason University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

With a ranking of #22, University of Louisiana at Monroe did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. ULM is a medium-sized school located in Monroe, Louisiana that handed out 12 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Louisiana at Monroe are $21,410.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at ULM

#23

Radford University

Radford, Virginia

Radford University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Radford University is a fairly large school located in Radford, Virginia that handed out 3 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Radford University are $21,382, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Radford

#24

University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky

University of Louisville landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Louisville, Kentucky, and it awarded 27 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UofL, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Louisville are $27,575, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at UofL

#25

Fairmont State University

Fairmont, West Virginia

Fairmont State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Fairmont, West Virginia, and it awarded 16 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Fairmont State are $19,100, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Fairmont State

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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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