2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Tennessee
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Our analysis ranked Dyersburg State Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice & corrections in Tennessee. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,758, compared with $18,060 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,611 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pellissippi State Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $43,816. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Walters State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,702 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Walters State Community College generally make around $44,624. That is a strong return on a $16,702 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Cleveland State Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,762, compared with $17,746 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,318 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,488. Set against $6,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Volunteer State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,756, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $40,137. That is a strong return on a $12,462 median debt.
Austin Peay State University placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $25,281 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $36,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,281 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Northeast State Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,782 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,766. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,404. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,673. Set against $6,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Le Moyne Owen College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Le Moyne Owen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,076. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,594. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $22,671. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,167. That is a strong return on a $22,671 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Memphis landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $35,900 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Tennessee came in at #11 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. Students from in state pay about $18,712 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,444 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $54,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Lane College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Lane College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,790. Students borrow a median of $38,680 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Lane College generally make around $35,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $24,093. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $37,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,093 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Strayer University Tennessee earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Strayer University Tennessee is a mid-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,920. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $56,937. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Strayer University Tennessee generally make around $43,405. That is a strong return on a $56,937 median debt.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $22,995. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $37,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Martin Methodist College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,924 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $23,308. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Martin Methodist College generally make around $40,832. Set against $23,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Martin Methodist College admits about 87% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $25,942. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $30,097. Set against $25,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $52,004 early in their careers. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $28,001 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $32,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,001 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Cumberland University came in at #20 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Students borrow a median of $21,902 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $45,223. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
South College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, South College is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,535. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $24,533 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of South College earn a median of $24,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bryan College Dayton placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,800. Students borrow a median of $25,652 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,067. Set against $25,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,938. Students borrow a median of $20,693 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $64,307 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
