by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & corrections education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice & corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.
United Tribes Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in North Dakota. Set in the suburb of Bismarck, United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,232 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $25,292.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Region State College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the town of Devils Lake, Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,520. Students borrow a median of $10,131 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lake Region State College earn a median of $57,765 early in their careers. Set against $10,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Minot State University one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $26,343 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $45,579. Set against $26,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $38,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Mary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota came in at #6 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $42,825. Set against $19,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
