2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Missouri
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice & corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Missouri
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
Jefferson College tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in Missouri. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,664. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $61,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Louis Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. 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.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,866. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Metropolitan Community College Kansas City one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $4,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $48,137. Set against $4,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Crowder College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,887 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $33,869 early in their careers. Set against $9,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Truman State University earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,997 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,176. Set against $21,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Mineral Area College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,570. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Mineral Area College generally make around $45,217. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,054. Students borrow a median of $21,133 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies generally make around $39,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $21,972 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $32,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Harris Stowe State University landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,008, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $32,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Harris Stowe State University generally make around $34,108. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Missouri placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,279 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $41,494. That is a strong return on a $23,279 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Missouri Western State University earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Students borrow a median of $20,149 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $39,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $24,408. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $46,503. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #14 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $36,537. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $36,223 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri Valley College came in at #16 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,700. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,318. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Valley College admits about 69% of applicants.
Lindenwood University came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $36,253. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Park University landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $18,299. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Park University generally make around $49,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln University Missouri earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,796, while out-of-state students pay about $17,692. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $37,171 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,331. Set against $37,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Culver Stockton College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $30,875. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $33,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Missouri placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,276 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,344 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri generally make around $46,741. Set against $27,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,620 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences generally make around $36,223. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $23,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $45,709. That is a strong return on a $23,694 median debt. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Rockhurst University placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,966 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $24,111. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Rockhurst University generally make around $70,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Webster University earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $25,939. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $57,152. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
