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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Corrections Schools

36 Colleges in the United States
$14,194 Avg Student Debt
$41,924 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Corrections Badge [Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/corrections/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 233 schools to find the best return on investment for corrections students.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Corrections School for You

The right corrections school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Corrections Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.

See how we build our rankings

Customizing Your List

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Corrections Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Corrections
Bachelor's Degrees in Corrections
Master's Degrees in Corrections
Doctorate Degrees in Corrections

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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2026 Best Value Corrections Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Corrections Schools

1
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among corrections schools in the United States. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $14,080 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. That is a strong return on a $14,080 median debt.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #2 place for corrections. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $10,500. Early-career corrections graduates make about $43,545. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

3
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.

4

San Diego Miramar College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,994 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,994 median debt.

5
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moreno Valley College earned it the #5 place for corrections. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $81,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Mt San Antonio College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Fresno City College earned the #7 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,187 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $32,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College earned the #8 position for value in corrections this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $6,500. Corrections graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Frederick Community College earned the #9 position for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $10,778. Early-career corrections graduates make about $43,733. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

College Of The Sequoias earned the #10 position for value in corrections this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $28,851. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #11 among the best values for corrections. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $15,796. Early-career corrections graduates make about $60,055. That is a strong return on a $15,796 median debt.

12

Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #12 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $12,942 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13
Yuba College crest
Yuba College
Marysville, CA

Yuba College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $8,729. Early-career corrections graduates make about $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.

14

Henry Ford Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,200 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $15,200 median debt.

15
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College earned the #15 position for value in corrections this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,760 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,760 median debt.

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16
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College landed the #16 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Lansing Community College placed #17 among the best values for corrections. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $16,700. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18
Chipola College crest
Chipola College
Marianna, FL

Chipola College placed #18 among the best values for corrections. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $8,847. Corrections graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $38,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,847 median debt.

19
Gulf Coast State College crest
Gulf Coast State College
Panama City, FL

Gulf Coast State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $6,250. Early-career corrections graduates make about $45,648. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.

20

Florida Gateway College earned the #20 position for value in corrections this year. Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lake City. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $7,500. Early-career corrections graduates make about $44,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College landed the #21 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Imperial Valley College landed the #22 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $27,313. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Riverside City College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $8,767. Early-career corrections graduates make about $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

North Florida Community College earned the #24 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,994, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,902 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $46,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Lamar State College Orange ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Corrections Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s corrections value ranking:

26
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
27
Taft College crest
Taft College
Taft, CA
28
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI
29
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA
30
31
32
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Merced College crest
Merced College
Merced, CA
40
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ
41
42
43
44
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
45
46
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, MI
47
48
49
50

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Corrections is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 233 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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