2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & corrections education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 187 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
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 Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $50,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $8,119 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,712. That is a strong return on a $8,119 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $31,617. Set against $7,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $25,302. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. 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.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #6 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Students borrow a median of $6,167 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $29,606. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $12,472. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $31,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Burlington County College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $27,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,021. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $28,940 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,021 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $6,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $25,515 early in their careers. Set against $6,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Camden County College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Students borrow a median of $13,322 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $43,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $29,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Bucks County Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,169. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,719. That is a strong return on a $10,169 median debt.
Ulster County Community College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,206 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Ulster County Community College earn a median of $51,069 early in their careers. Set against $13,206 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carroll Community College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,308, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $17,398. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $49,058. Set against $17,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Hostos Community College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,256 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Cuny Hostos Community College generally make around $28,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $56,846. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Mercer County Community College placed #19 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. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,163. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $57,464. Set against $14,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $51,676. Set against $12,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange County Community College came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,526 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,250. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $36,111. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Hudson County Community College placed #23 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,671. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $20,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Niagara County Community College came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $27,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College landed the #25 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,343. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Union County College earn a median of $30,629 early in their careers. 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:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 187 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 187 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.
