2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & corrections education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 152 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the United States
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
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice & corrections schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $62,921. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $46,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #3. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $37,728. Set against $11,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Texas At Dallas one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $18,750. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $48,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Florida International University earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $18,623. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $47,591. Set against $18,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $58,306. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,425. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,243. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $74,466. That is a strong return on a $21,243 median debt.
Purdue University Global placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,137 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,170. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $57,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Fayetteville State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $26,000. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $29,016. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $22,757 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $65,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Florida ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $52,216. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,731. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $45,983. Set against $21,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida came in at #16 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,776. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $36,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,828 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $60,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,034 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,034 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #20 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,381 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $33,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Austin Peay State University earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $25,281. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $36,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,875. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $49,241. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $45,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,671 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,167. That is a strong return on a $22,671 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University landed the #25 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & corrections this year:
Other Criminal Justice & Corrections Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Criminal Justice & Corrections rankings across degree levels:
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 152 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 152 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.
