2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Virginia
[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.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Virginia
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
Wytheville Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in Virginia. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,542. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $38,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice & corrections. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,131. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Southside Virginia Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,467 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $29,666. That is a strong return on a $7,467 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at John Tyler Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $33,766. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Germanna Community College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,880. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $46,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lord Fairfax Community College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,698. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $25,999. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Virginia Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,384. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,309. Set against $10,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Community College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,494 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,922. Set against $9,494 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George Mason University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $20,761 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $49,815. That is a strong return on a $20,761 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Radford University came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Radford University earn a median of $35,935 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,402. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,768. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $40,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Students borrow a median of $14,795 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $26,965 early in their careers. Set against $14,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mountain Empire Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Stone Gap. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,036 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn a median of $36,988 early in their careers. Set against $9,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norfolk State University earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Longwood University earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. Students from in state pay about $15,740 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $36,254. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.
Virginia State University earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $34,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $18,627. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Virginia Wesleyan College came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,500. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $39,404. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Virginia Wesleyan College admits about 73% of applicants.
Regent University earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Regent University earn a median of $46,005 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Strayer University Virginia came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Strayer University Virginia is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $56,937 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #25 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $38,495 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice & corrections:
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
