2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice & corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
College Of San Mateo tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $17,075. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
A rank of #4 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot 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.
Skyline College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Moreno Valley College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $81,339. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,994. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $57,185 early in their careers. Set against $10,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $33,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,187. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $32,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $12,256 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $36,092 early in their careers. Set against $12,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Gavilan College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College landed the #14 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. 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.
Pasadena City College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,191. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,492. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $28,851 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,679 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,974. That is a strong return on a $11,679 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Irvine Valley College earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yuba College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,729. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $62,350. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College came in at #20 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Ventura College earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $11,760 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $31,146. That is a strong return on a $11,760 median debt.
Victor Valley College came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $31,600 early in their careers. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $27,313. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Norco College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. 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 rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections value ranking:
Narrow Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 228 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[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.
