[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1249 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice & corrections students.
Finding the Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections School for You
The criminal justice & corrections program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
College Of San Mateo tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in the United States. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $50,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #3. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,679 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $32,974 early in their careers. Set against $11,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #4 makes Macomb Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,964 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $38,758. That is a strong return on a $6,964 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Middlesex County College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,119. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $32,712. Set against $8,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $41,796. Set against $10,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,868 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $49,224. Set against $11,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,149. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,102. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,616. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,308. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
St Petersburg College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,080 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $48,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,250. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Set against $6,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,176. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,825. Set against $9,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Yuba College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $62,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College landed the #19 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $31,600. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $35,029. That is a strong return on a $14,917 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Grossmont College placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Pima Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $7,562. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $47,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $7,625. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $31,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & corrections this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1249 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,249 ranked schools only.
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).
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
