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2023 Best Value Colleges for Criminal Justice & Corrections in the Plains States Region

84 Ranked Colleges
6,080 Degrees Awarded
$13,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 113,121 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, criminal justice and corrections is the 7th most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, criminal justice and corrections graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $35,465 and had an average of $25,425 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 6,080 criminal justice and corrections graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,141 and $29,816 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 84 colleges that offered a degree in criminal justice and corrections. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great criminal justice and corrections programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the criminal justice and corrections program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region criminal justice students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Criminal Justice & Corrections in the Plains States Region

1
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Century College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region list. Century College is a public institution located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 99 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Century College also took the #9 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Century College is $10,397 for plains states region criminal justice students.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Century College

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Alexandria Technical & Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region list. Alexandria, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 128 students in 2020-2021.

ATCC also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for ATCC is $13,636 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at ATCC

3
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Out of the 84 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Walden University landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 260 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

Walden University also took the #10 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Walden University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

4
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Park University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region list. Park University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Parkville, Missouri. It awarded 179 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Park University, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Park University is $14,619 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Park University

5
Normandale Community College crest
Normandale Community College
Bloomington, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Normandale Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region. Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 49 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

Normandale Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Normandale Community College is $10,854 for plains states region criminal justice students.

Full Normandale Community College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

6

North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. North Dakota State University is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 62 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,998 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students per year to attend North Dakota State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at North Dakota State University

7
IHCC crest
Inver Hills Community College
Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

Inver Hills Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, and it awarded 37 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Inver Hills Community College is $11,570 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Inver Hills Community College

8

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Cloquet, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 48 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is $10,190 for plains states region criminal justice students.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

9
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. Metropolitan State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 141 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

Metro State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Metro State is $16,044 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Metro State

10
North Hennepin Community College crest
North Hennepin Community College
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

North Hennepin Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #10. North Hennepin Community College is a medium-sized school located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota that handed out 47 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for North Hennepin Community College is $10,081 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at North Hennepin Community College

11
Northland Community and Technical College crest
Northland Community and Technical College
Thief River Falls, Minnesota

Northland Community and Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region list. Thief River Falls, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northland Community and Technical College is $11,586 for plains states region criminal justice students.

Full Northland Community and Technical College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

12
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 166 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

Capella University also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for Capella University is $16,545 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Capella University

13
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

With a ranking of #13, Bellevue University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region list. Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bellevue, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 30 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Bellevue University also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Bellevue University is $17,288 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Bellevue University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

14
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

With a ranking of #14, Minot State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minot State University is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 43 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,205 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students per year to attend Minot State University.

Full MSU Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

15
Chadron State College crest
Chadron State College
Chadron, Nebraska

With a ranking of #15, Chadron State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region list. Chadron State College is located in Chadron, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Chadron State College is $15,097 for plains states region criminal justice students.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Chadron State College

16

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #16. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 105 students in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region criminal justice students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Minnesota State Mankato

17
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 187 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $26,668 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students per year to attend Columbia College.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Columbia College

18

With a ranking of #18, Des Moines Area Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and it awarded 80 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Des Moines Area Community College is $9,557 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students.

Full Des Moines Area Community College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

19

Northeast Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Norfolk, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school handed out 34 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,029 for plains states region criminal justice students per year to attend Northeast.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Northeast Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

20
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

With a ranking of #20, Bemidji State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region list. Bemidji State University is a small public school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 69 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Bemidji State University is $16,033 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Bemidji State University

21
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 61 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2020-2021.

UND also took the #14 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UND is $16,966 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at UND

22
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region list. Wayne State College is a small public school situated in Wayne, Nebraska. It awarded 58 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,141 for plains states region criminal justice students per year to attend WSC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full WSC Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

23
Hibbing Community College crest
Hibbing Community College
Hibbing, Minnesota

Hibbing Community College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Hibbing, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Hibbing Community College is $8,736 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Hibbing Community College

24
JeffCo crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, Missouri

Jefferson College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Hillsboro, Missouri, and it awarded 37 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,814 for plains states region criminal justice students per year to attend JeffCo.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at JeffCo

25

Rasmussen University - Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #25. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a small school located in St. Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 82 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Rasmussen University - Minnesota is $19,075 for Plains States Region Criminal Justice students.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Rasmussen University - Minnesota Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

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Notes and References

References

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