2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Massachusetts
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & corrections education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Our analysis ranked Middlesex Community College Bedford the best value for a degree in criminal justice & corrections in Massachusetts. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Students borrow a median of $10,950 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,796. That is a strong return on a $10,950 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Bunker Hill Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,573. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Northern Essex Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $7,432. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $39,426. Set against $7,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bristol Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Students borrow a median of $6,700 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $36,706 early in their careers. Set against $6,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holyoke Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $5,658. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $37,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massachusetts Bay Community College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $45,144. Set against $6,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Shore Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,656 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $32,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massasoit Community College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,376, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $36,927. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. 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. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,768. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $40,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Springfield Technical Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. 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. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $7,500. 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.
Roxbury Community College ranked #11 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. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,665 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Roxbury Community College earn a median of $46,124 early in their careers. Set against $11,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Worcester State University came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $24,953 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Mount Wachusett Community College earned the #13 position 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,753. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $27,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Cod Community College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,944. Students borrow a median of $14,669 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cape Cod Community College earn a median of $47,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,669 median debt.
Fitchburg State University placed #15 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Quincy College came in at #16 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Quincy, Quincy College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,938. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,600. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,506. That is a strong return on a $15,600 median debt.
Bridgewater State University earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $26,696 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $50,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,696 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $42,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Westfield State University came in at #19 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $24,422 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $42,228 early in their careers. Set against $24,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Salem State University placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $26,220. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $51,953. Set against $26,220 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #21 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $24,822 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $61,649. That is a strong return on a $24,822 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $53,543. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Boston University came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $63,965. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Fisher College came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Boston, Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,689. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $45,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fisher College admits about 71% of applicants.
American International College earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of American International College earn a median of $37,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & corrections this year:
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
