2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Florida
[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice & corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Florida
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 St Petersburg College, our #1 best value for criminal justice & corrections in Florida. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,080 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Set against $14,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Indian River State College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,176 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at North Florida Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,994, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,902 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $46,266. Set against $7,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Hillsborough Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $47,631 early in their careers. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,847 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $38,366. That is a strong return on a $8,847 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,796 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $60,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,796 median debt.
South Florida State College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. South Florida State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Avon Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,165, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,204. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $42,415 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,563 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $34,209. Set against $9,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,191. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $45,811. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Northwest Florida State College earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,583, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,808. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $48,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gulf Coast State College earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,635. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $45,648 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.
Florida Gateway College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $7,500. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $44,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Florida State College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $8,635 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $51,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,635 median debt.
Pasco Hernando Community College earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of New Port Richey, Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,155, while out-of-state students pay about $12,032. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,908 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Pasco Hernando Community College earn a median of $53,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Daytona State College earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $8,169 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $52,755. Set against $8,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #16 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $18,750. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,963. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Manatee Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Bradenton, Manatee Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,726 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Manatee Technical College generally make around $58,216. Set against $9,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Johns River State College earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Palatka, Saint Johns River State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,591 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,293 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,807. Set against $16,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,401 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #20 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,942 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $36,589 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $18,623 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $42,215. That is a strong return on a $18,623 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Palm Beach State College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $3,050, while out-of-state students pay about $10,910. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $69,415. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #23 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $58,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Tallahassee Community College came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Tallahassee Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $2,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,062 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $26,862 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,235. That is a strong return on a $26,862 median debt.
Polk State College placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Polk State College is a large public school located in the city of Winter Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,694, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Students borrow a median of $14,451 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,071. That is a strong return on a $14,451 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & corrections this year:
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
