2026 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & corrections education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 182 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Our analysis ranked Central Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice & corrections in the The Plains States Region. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Saint Louis Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,999 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,500. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,547. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Metropolitan Community College Area one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,462 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,511. Set against $13,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Jefferson College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $61,641. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
Northeast Community College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $33,064. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $49,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Crowder College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Students borrow a median of $9,887 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice & corrections 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $4,821 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $48,137 early in their careers. Set against $4,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,473 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverland Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $49,194. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $14,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,866. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $19,366. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $54,174. Set against $19,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,466 early in their careers. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Hennepin Community College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Students borrow a median of $30,250 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $53,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,250 median debt.
College Of The Ozarks placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $25,125. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $56,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #19 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $42,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. 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.
Eastern Iowa Community College District earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,995. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cloquet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,665. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,144. Set against $15,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,556. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $49,040 early in their careers. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
United Tribes Technical College earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bismarck. In-state tuition and fees average $5,232. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $25,292.
Inver Hills Community College came in at #25 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $23,690. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $52,724. That is a strong return on a $23,690 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & corrections this year:
Narrow Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools by State
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 · 182 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 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.
