2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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 58 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 the Rocky Mountains 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
Snow College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,440. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $44,042. That is a strong return on a $6,334 median debt.
College Of Southern Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,130 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $30,479. Set against $11,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado Mountain College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $19,500. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $68,129. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laramie County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,309. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,302. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University came in at #6 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $18,016. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,051. Set against $18,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Western Idaho earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $7,381. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $35,959 early in their careers.
Red Rocks Community College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,667 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $72,583. That is a strong return on a $17,667 median debt.
Casper College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. In-state tuition and fees average $4,410, compared with $10,710 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,598 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. Set against $12,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sheridan College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Sheridan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheridan. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,130. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,910 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $49,039. That is a strong return on a $13,910 median debt.
Aims Community College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,062. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $57,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta Montrose Technical College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of Delta, Delta Montrose Technical College is a small public institution. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $4,750 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $56,589. Set against $4,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,066. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $50,546. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Weber State University landed the #14 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,828 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,281. That is a strong return on a $19,828 median debt.
Community College Of Denver came in at #15 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,830 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $45,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arapahoe Community College came in at #16 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Arapahoe Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,434, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,351 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $54,371 early in their careers. Set against $21,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pueblo Community College came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,049, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,656 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $52,241. Set against $7,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bridgerland Technical College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Logan, Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Bridgerland Technical College earn a median of $28,884 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Front Range Community College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $24,774 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $69,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $19,393. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $38,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,393 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Trinidad State Junior College earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. Students from in state pay about $4,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,502 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Trinidad State Junior College earn a median of $42,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,502 median debt.
Southern Utah University earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $17,500. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Otero Junior College earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $7,270. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $21,759 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Otero Junior College earn a median of $50,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,759 median debt.
North Idaho College placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,396 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis Clark State College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Students borrow a median of $26,458 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lewis Clark State College earn a median of $40,442 early in their careers. Set against $26,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections value ranking:
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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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
