2026 Best Value Corrections Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice the best value for a degree in corrections in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

2

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $43,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Polk State College
Winter Haven, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Polk State College earned it the #3 place for corrections. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,694, while out-of-state students pay about $9,818. Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Polk State College generally make around $40,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kentucky State University earned it the #4 place for corrections. Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frankfort. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,387, with out-of-state students paying around $13,578. Students borrow a median of $28,162 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $28,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

5

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $31,548. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

6

Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University landed the #6 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Students borrow a median of $21,030 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,030 median debt.

7

Langston University
Langston, OK

Langston University earned the #7 position for value in corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,863, with out-of-state students paying around $14,616. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $30,017. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Langston University generally make around $39,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University landed the #8 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $35,207. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

9

Washburn University
Topeka, KS

Washburn University came in at #9 for value in corrections this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $20,822. Early-career corrections graduates make about $40,052. That is a strong return on a $20,822 median debt.

10

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #10 for value in corrections this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

11

Pikeville College
Pikeville, KY

Pikeville College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,850. Corrections graduates carry a median of $22,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Pikeville College generally make around $27,025. That is a strong return on a $22,330 median debt.

12

Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University came in at #12 for value in corrections this year. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,890 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,852 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $47,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

University Of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK

University Of Alaska Anchorage landed the #13 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,738 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,322. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $23,250. Early-career corrections graduates make about $59,053. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies
Springfield, MO

Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies landed the #14 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $34,000. Corrections graduates of Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earn a median of $33,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,000 median debt.

15

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University placed #15 among the best values for corrections. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Corrections graduates carry a median of $26,625 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $36,537. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

16

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #16 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.

17

Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI

Siena Heights University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,778. Corrections graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Siena Heights University earn a median of $52,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

18

Baker College Of Flint
Owosso, MI

Baker College Of Flint landed the #18 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the town of Owosso, Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,000. Students borrow a median of $47,500 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Baker College Of Flint earn a median of $42,341 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $47,500 median debt. Baker College Of Flint admits about 82% of applicants.

19

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #19 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $38,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

University Of Baltimore landed the #20 spot for corrections value this year. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $25,500. Corrections graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $56,837 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.

21

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #21 position for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $49,019 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #22 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $44,085. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.

23

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University landed the #23 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,426 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $52,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.

24

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,707 in student loans. Corrections graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $40,557 early in their careers. Set against $25,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

25

Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH

Tiffin University landed the #25 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,790. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $30,758. Corrections graduates of Tiffin University earn a median of $44,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tiffin University admits about 80% of applicants.