2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Florida
[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 69 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
St Petersburg College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in Florida. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $14,080 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $48,218. 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 Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #2. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. 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. 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 Seminole State College Of Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,942 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $36,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chipola College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Students borrow a median of $8,847 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $38,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gulf Coast State College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,176. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $51,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gateway College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,100, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Florida Community College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. North Florida Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $2,994, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $7,902 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of North Florida Community College earn a median of $46,266 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,165 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,204. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from South Florida State College generally make around $42,415. That is a strong return on a $8,204 median debt.
Pasco Hernando Community College earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of New Port Richey, Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,155, while out-of-state students pay about $12,032. Students borrow a median of $14,908 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Pasco Hernando Community College generally make around $53,856. Set against $14,908 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Florida State College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $11,808 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Florida State College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,791, with out-of-state students paying around $10,976. Students borrow a median of $8,635 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $51,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,563 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $34,209. Set against $9,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. 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, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $18,750. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $41,963 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Daytona State College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,169. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $52,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Johns River State College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the town of Palatka, Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,591, compared with $9,334 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Saint Johns River State College earn a median of $47,807 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt.
The University Of West Florida came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,776. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $36,369. That is a strong return on a $21,776 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Edison State College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,356. 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.
Florida International University came in at #20 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,623 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $42,215. That is a strong return on a $18,623 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Polk State College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,694, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,451 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Polk State College earn a median of $47,071 early in their careers. Set against $14,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,829. 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. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Palm Beach State College ranked #23 on our 2026 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. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $69,415 early in their careers. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tallahassee Community College came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,062. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $26,862. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Tallahassee Community College earn a median of $43,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,862 median debt.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #25 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $21,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $40,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Rest of the Top 50 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
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 · 69 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.
