by our College Data Analytics Team
[Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/corrections/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 233 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for corrections students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in corrections, no school beat Grossmont College this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #2 place for corrections. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $6,187. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $29,467. Set against $6,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #3 place for corrections. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $9,384. Early-career corrections graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $6,500. Early-career corrections graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Moreno Valley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $12,643. Corrections graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $81,339 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Frederick Community College placed #7 among the best values for corrections. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #8 among the best values for corrections. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $28,851. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Lansing Community College landed the #9 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $16,700. Early-career corrections graduates make about $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College ranked #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. That is a strong return on a $15,200 median debt.
St Petersburg College came in at #11 for value in corrections this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,080 in student loans. 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.
Sacramento City College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $11,760. Early-career corrections graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #14 for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #15 position for value in corrections this year. 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, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. 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.
Victor Valley College earned the #16 position for value in corrections 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. Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. 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.
Yuba College earned the #17 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Imperial Valley College earned the #18 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange came in at #20 for value in corrections this year. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $18,506. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
Taft College landed the #21 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the town of Taft, Taft College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,108, with out-of-state students paying around $10,852. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,861 ten years after entry.
North Central State College landed the #22 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $10,782. Corrections graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,397 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,782 median debt.
Oakland Community College landed the #23 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,506 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $51,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,506 median debt.
Citrus College earned the #24 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,149 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $38,595 early in their careers. Set against $7,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s corrections value ranking:
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Explore the best-value corrections schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 233 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.