2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in New Jersey
[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in New Jersey
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
Essex County College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in New Jersey. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $31,908. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Camden County College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. 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.
Middlesex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $8,119 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $32,712. Set against $8,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Raritan Valley Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Mercer County Community College one of 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. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Burlington County College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $27,775. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Warren County Community College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. Students from in state pay about $5,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,875. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $22,140. That is a strong return on a $8,875 median debt.
Hudson County Community College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. 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.
Cumberland County College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,931 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $33,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,343 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. 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.
Sussex County Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Students borrow a median of $9,875 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $32,079 early in their careers. Set against $9,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,721 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $30,595 early in their careers. Set against $9,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Passaic County Community College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $23,559. That is a strong return on a $10,625 median debt.
County College Of Morris ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,040 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $23,024. Set against $9,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlantic Cape Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $37,141. Set against $12,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ocean County College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,906, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,000. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $27,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Jersey City University came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,500. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,470. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Kean University came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $25,993. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Gloucester County College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,931. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Gloucester County College earn a median of $33,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,931 median debt.
Saint Peters College placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,558. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $35,864. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Students borrow a median of $24,672 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $39,055. Set against $24,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
College Of Saint Elizabeth ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Morristown, College Of Saint Elizabeth is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $25,496. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from College Of Saint Elizabeth generally make around $76,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Saint Elizabeth admits about 71% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,431 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $45,182 early in their careers. Set against $22,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Students borrow a median of $22,431 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $45,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & corrections this year:
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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
