2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the New England 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
Leading the list is Middlesex Community College Bedford, our #1 best value for criminal justice & corrections in the New England Region. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,950 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $41,796 early in their careers. Set against $10,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bunker Hill Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $47,573. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Essex Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $7,432. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,426. Set against $7,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Holyoke Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $5,658. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $37,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,700. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $36,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massachusetts Bay Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Students borrow a median of $6,333 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Massachusetts Bay Community College generally make around $45,144. Set against $6,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island came in at #7 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $30,219. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
North Shore Community College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,656 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $32,379 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,656 median debt.
Central Maine Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,112. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massasoit Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,376, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $36,927. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Quinsigamond Community College earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,768 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $40,039. Set against $16,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Springfield Technical Community College earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Springfield Technical Community College earn a median of $37,044 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Capital Community College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $31,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rhode Island College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $21,625 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $38,163 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Southern Maine Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,869. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Worcester State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $24,953. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,132. That is a strong return on a $24,953 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,160, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,753 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $27,226. That is a strong return on a $13,753 median debt.
Eastern Maine Community College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bangor. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,741 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Eastern Maine Community College earn a median of $52,263 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,741 median debt.
Cape Cod Community College landed the #19 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of West Barnstable. Students from in state pay about $6,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,944. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,669 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,939. Set against $14,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Roxbury Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, compared with $11,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,665. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Roxbury Community College earn a median of $46,124 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,665 median debt.
Charter Oak State College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,506. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $23,000. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Charter Oak State College earn a median of $68,956 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fitchburg State University placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $26,000. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $43,418 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Quincy College placed #23 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Quincy College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Quincy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,938. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,600 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,506. That is a strong return on a $15,600 median debt.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Presque Isle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn a median of $41,148 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine At Presque Isle admits about 100% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $24,340. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $60,151. That is a strong return on a $24,340 median debt. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
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
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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.
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
