2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in New York
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 87 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 New York
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 tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in New York. 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, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $50,103. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $7,625. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $31,617. That is a strong return on a $7,625 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice & corrections. 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, 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. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $6,021 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Cuny Queensborough Community College, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,884 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $26,907. Set against $8,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ulster County Community College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Stone Ridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, with out-of-state students paying around $12,146. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,206. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $51,069. Set against $13,206 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Students borrow a median of $6,167 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. 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.
Nassau Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $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 Laguardia Community College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. 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, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $25,515. That is a strong return on a $6,750 median debt.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, while out-of-state students pay about $8,134. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,256. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,343. That is a strong return on a $6,256 median debt.
Erie Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,938 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $51,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,938 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,700 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $30,093. That is a strong return on a $10,700 median debt.
Schenectady County Community College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.
Monroe Community College earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. 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.
Niagara County Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $27,970. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Greene Community College came in at #16 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hudson. In-state tuition and fees average $6,048, compared with $11,448 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,168 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Columbia Greene Community College earn a median of $34,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Community College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $27,074. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange County Community College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, compared with $12,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,250. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $36,111. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Genesee Community College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,900, while out-of-state students pay about $6,500. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $38,483. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Broome Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,674 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $40,721. That is a strong return on a $11,674 median debt.
Fulton Montgomery Community College placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Fulton Montgomery Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,198 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,798. Students borrow a median of $13,300 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Fulton Montgomery Community College earn a median of $31,935 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dutchess Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,670, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,515 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $26,891. Set against $11,515 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cayuga County Community College placed #23 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the town of Auburn, Cayuga County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,056, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,709.
Mohawk Valley Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $36,754 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockland Community College placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,862. Students borrow a median of $10,510 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $29,633. Set against $10,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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.
