2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Ohio
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Cuyahoga Community College District tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in Ohio. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,149 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $38,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,149 median debt.
North Central State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,782 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $50,218. That is a strong return on a $10,782 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lorain County Community College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Stark State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $16,350 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $35,014. That is a strong return on a $16,350 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,054. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $29,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $19,857. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $51,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,828. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $48,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
Edison State Community College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,499, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. Students borrow a median of $15,406 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $43,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,406 median debt.
James A Rhodes State College placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $9,120. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,070 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,074. That is a strong return on a $17,070 median debt.
Washington State Community College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,291. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Washington State Community College generally make around $45,305. Set against $16,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Ohio Technical College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,016 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,779. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Central Ohio Technical College generally make around $40,065. That is a strong return on a $16,779 median debt.
Owens Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,663. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $51,319. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Zane State College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,766. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,556. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Zane State College generally make around $35,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami University Hamilton earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $23,505. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $36,612. That is a strong return on a $23,505 median debt.
Youngstown State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $24,465. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $37,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,465 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Kent State University At Trumbull came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Warren, Kent State University At Trumbull is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,211 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Kent State University At Trumbull earn a median of $33,980 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,843 median debt.
Clark State Community College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,393 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,049. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,522 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Clark State Community College earn a median of $39,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,522 median debt.
Hocking College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $37,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,799. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $38,399. Set against $16,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central State University landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Central State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wilberforce. Students from in state pay about $8,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,058. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Central State University earn a median of $32,631 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Polaris Career Center earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Middleburg Heights, Polaris Career Center is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $6,365 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Polaris Career Center earn a median of $41,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest State Community College earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Archbold. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,698, with out-of-state students paying around $9,170. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,565 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northwest State Community College earn a median of $45,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $21,313 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $36,821. Set against $21,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,799. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $38,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice & corrections:
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
