2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in North Carolina
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 95 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 North Carolina
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
Wilkes Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in North Carolina. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $41,251 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Central Carolina Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $28,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $49,893. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,116. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $44,616. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Johnston Community College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Wayne Community College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $40,557. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Stanly Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,920.
Vance Granville Community College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $39,750. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Martin Community College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Martin Community College is a small public school located in the town of Williamston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,523, with out-of-state students paying around $8,667. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $42,820.
South Piedmont Community College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $17,823. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College landed the #14 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Students borrow a median of $8,924 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $30,235. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Rowan Cabarrus Community College generally make around $46,993. That is a strong return on a $10,625 median debt.
Nash Community College came in at #16 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,969 median debt.
Surry Community College came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,188. That is a strong return on a $9,537 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,708. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $36,418 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beaufort County Community College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,540, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $38,009. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, compared with $7,652 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,240 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Set against $10,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,984 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $38,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Fear Community College came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,042. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $52,282. Set against $16,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $52,951. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Gaston College came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,915. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $50,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mayland Community College came in at #25 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Spruce Pine, Mayland Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,626, compared with $8,770 for out-of-state students. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $17,144.
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
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
