2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & corrections education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 257 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice & corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #2. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,625 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $31,617. That is a strong return on a $7,625 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $25,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Nassau Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $29,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $6,021 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,940. Set against $6,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $5,500. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,248. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Essex County College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $31,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex County College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $8,119 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $32,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,119 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,167. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $29,606 early in their careers. Set against $6,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,884 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $26,907. That is a strong return on a $8,884 median debt.
Camden County College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,322 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $43,451. That is a strong return on a $13,322 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $6,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $25,515. That is a strong return on a $6,750 median debt.
Ulster County Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,666, with out-of-state students paying around $12,146. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,206 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,069. That is a strong return on a $13,206 median debt.
Erie Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,938 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,256. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,343. Set against $6,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carroll Community College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Burlington County College earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $27,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,611. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $70,610. That is a strong return on a $14,611 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #20 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,700 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $30,093 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,700 median debt.
Mercer County Community College placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $56,846. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butler County Community College placed #23 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,910, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,836. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,492. Set against $10,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cumberland County College placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,931. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Cumberland County College generally make around $33,568. Set against $11,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bucks County Community College placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Students borrow a median of $10,169 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $28,719 early in their careers. Set against $10,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice & corrections:
Narrow Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools by State
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
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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 · 257 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 156 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.
