2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 1884 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice the best value for a degree in criminal justice & corrections in the United States. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,500. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $62,921 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $46,596. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,644 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $37,728 early in their careers. Set against $11,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Long Beach one of 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $47,425 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,034. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Florida International University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,623 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $47,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $58,306. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
American Public University System landed the #9 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Students borrow a median of $21,243 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $74,466 early in their careers. Set against $21,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville State University placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $29,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. 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, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,170. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $57,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of North Florida earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $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 landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $21,731 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $45,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $19,828 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $43,281 early in their careers. Set against $19,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central University landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,553. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of East Central University earn a median of $41,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Governors State University landed the #16 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,889 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $42,456 early in their careers. Set against $22,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Monroe College Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,464 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,975 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Monroe College Main Campus earn a median of $58,544 early in their careers. Set against $20,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Monroe College Main Campus admits about 68% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $40,493 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Universidad Del Este earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Carolina, Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $12,620. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Universidad Del Este generally make around $22,186. That is a strong return on a $12,620 median debt.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $22,671. 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.
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $50,379. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $20,300. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $48,006. Set against $20,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Western Illinois University came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $49,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of North Alabama came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $31,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. 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
Explore the best-value criminal justice & corrections schools at other degree levels:
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1884 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 132 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.
