College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Criminal Justice & Corrections in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

83 Ranked Colleges
6,080 Degrees Awarded
$12,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 113,121 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, criminal justice and corrections is the 7th most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, criminal justice and corrections graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $35,465 and had an average of $25,425 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 6,080 criminal justice and corrections graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,141 and $29,816 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 83 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Criminal Justice Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Criminal Justice & Corrections in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Century College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. White Bear Lake, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 99 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region criminal justice students with aid list, Century College has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,397 for plains states region criminal justice students with aid per year to attend Century College.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Century College

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 280 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for plains states region criminal justice students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Nebraska at Omaha

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 105 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region criminal justice students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Minnesota State University - Mankato

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is located in Cloquet, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $10,190 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid per year to attend Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri Southern State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Joplin, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 269 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,526 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid per year to attend Missouri Southern State University.

Full Missouri Southern State University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

6

Metropolitan Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Metropolitan Community College is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $4,315 for plains states region criminal justice students with aid per year to attend MCC.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at MCC

7

Des Moines Area Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and it awarded 80 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,557 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid per year to attend DMACC.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at DMACC

8
JeffCo crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, Missouri

Jefferson College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. JeffCo is a small public school situated in Hillsboro, Missouri. It awarded 37 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Jefferson College is $7,814 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Jefferson College

9

Northeast Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northeast is a public institution located in Norfolk, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,029 for plains states region criminal justice students with aid per year to attend Northeast.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Northeast Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

10
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

With a ranking of #10, Bellevue University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, and it awarded 30 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

Bellevue University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,288 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid per year to attend Bellevue University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Bellevue University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

11
North Hennepin Community College crest
North Hennepin Community College
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

North Hennepin Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. North Hennepin Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. It awarded 47 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,081 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid per year to attend North Hennepin Community College.

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

12

With a ranking of #12, Alexandria Technical & Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. ATCC is located in Alexandria, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 128 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ATCC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ATCC is $13,636 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

13

Iowa State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 135 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also took the #6 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $16,002 for plains states region criminal justice students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Iowa State University

14
IHCC crest
Inver Hills Community College
Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

Inver Hills Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, this small public school awarded 37 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Inver Hills Community College is $11,570 for plains states region criminal justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Inver Hills Community College

15

North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 62 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,998 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full North Dakota State University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

16
Northland Community and Technical College crest
Northland Community and Technical College
Thief River Falls, Minnesota

Northland Community and Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northland Community and Technical College is $11,586 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid.

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

17
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 84 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,581 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid per year to attend St. Cloud State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full St. Cloud State University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

18
Normandale Community College crest
Normandale Community College
Bloomington, Minnesota

Normandale Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Normandale Community College is located in Bloomington, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 49 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region criminal justice students with aid list, Normandale Community College has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Normandale Community College is $10,854 for plains states region criminal justice students with aid.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Normandale Community College

19
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Warrensburg, Missouri, and it awarded 141 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

UCM also took the #21 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCM is $14,058 for plains states region criminal justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at UCM

20
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Metro State is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 141 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Metro State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Metropolitan State University is $16,044 for plains states region criminal justice students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Metro State

21

With a ranking of #21, Southeast Community College Area did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Southeast Community College Area is a medium-sized school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 37 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Community College Area is $7,190 for plains states region criminal justice students with aid.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Southeast Community College Area

22
Hibbing Community College crest
Hibbing Community College
Hibbing, Minnesota

With a ranking of #22, Hibbing Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Hibbing, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 19 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Hibbing Community College is $8,736 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Hibbing Community College

23
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, Missouri

Park University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Parkville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 179 students in 2020-2021.

Park University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Park University is $14,619 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid.

Full Park University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

24
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

With a ranking of #24, Minot State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Minot State University is located in Minot, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 43 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Minot State University is $12,205 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at MSU

25
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

With a ranking of #25, Truman State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Truman State is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Truman State University is $12,301 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Truman State

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options