2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 111 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Central Community College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice & corrections schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,277. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $43,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Metropolitan Community College Area one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $13,462 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,511. Set against $13,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Riverland Community College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice & corrections. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $49,572. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $61,641 early in their careers. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,000. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $33,064 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #9 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $4,821 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $48,137. Set against $4,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,473 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,121. Set against $14,473 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $42,555. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,556 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $49,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $56,757. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,552 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $28,473. That is a strong return on a $14,552 median debt.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #16 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $28,708 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $64,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Hennepin Technical College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Students borrow a median of $19,854 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $56,699. Set against $19,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $19,366. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $54,174. That is a strong return on a $19,366 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Students borrow a median of $15,779 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #20 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crowder College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $33,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Students borrow a median of $13,946 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
United Tribes Technical College landed the #23 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,232. Median earnings reach $25,292 ten years out.
Normandale Community College placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,329. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,891 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $53,871. Set against $12,891 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Hennepin Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $30,250. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $53,797. Set against $30,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice & corrections:
Narrow Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools by State
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 111 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 111 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.
