2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Massachusetts
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Massachusetts
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
For return on investment in criminal justice & corrections, no school beat Middlesex Community College Bedford this year. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,950. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,796. Set against $10,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Bristol Community College, which ranked #2. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,700 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $36,706. That is a strong return on a $6,700 median debt.
Massachusetts Bay Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $45,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Essex Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,432 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,426. Set against $7,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bunker Hill Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. 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. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Springfield Technical Community College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. 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, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $37,044. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holyoke Community College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $5,658 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $37,533. Set against $5,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Cod Community College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,000, with out-of-state students paying around $10,944. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,669. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,939. Set against $14,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massasoit Community College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Massasoit Community College earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
North Shore Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,656. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $32,379. That is a strong return on a $9,656 median debt.
Worcester State University landed the #11 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Quinsigamond Community College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Quinsigamond Community College is a large public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,768 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $40,039 early in their careers. Set against $16,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fitchburg State University placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $43,418. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Salem State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $26,220. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $51,953 early in their careers. Set against $26,220 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Students borrow a median of $26,696 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $50,327. Set against $26,696 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University came in at #16 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $24,422. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $42,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Berkshire Community College earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pittsfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,712, compared with $11,328 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,167 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Berkshire Community College earn a median of $45,806 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $24,822. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $61,649 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Bay Path College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,302. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $29,811. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $59,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,811 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $53,666. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $42,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Quincy College came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Quincy College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Quincy. Students from in state pay about $8,938 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,600 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,506 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,600 median debt.
Boston University earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,965 early in their careers. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Western New England University came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,820. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $26,399 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Western New England University earn a median of $41,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,399 median debt. Western New England University admits about 84% of applicants.
American International College came in at #25 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $44,230. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of American International College earn a median of $37,408 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rest of the Top 35 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), 2027 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
