by our College Data Analytics Team
[Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools to find the best return on investment for corrections students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Lansing Community College the best value for a degree in corrections in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #2 place for corrections. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $15,200 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the best values for corrections. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $7,149 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $38,595. Set against $7,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Students borrow a median of $10,782 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $50,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland Community College earned it the #5 place for corrections. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $13,506. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $51,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
1
2
3
4
5
Delta College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Students borrow a median of $9,784 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $44,637. Set against $9,784 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College came in at #7 for value in corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kellogg Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Battle Creek. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, with out-of-state students paying around $8,282. Corrections graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College earned the #9 position for value in corrections this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College came in at #10 for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,054 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $29,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mott Community College came in at #11 for value in corrections this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,781 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. Set against $16,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,215 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $33,881. Set against $14,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $16,350. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. That is a strong return on a $16,350 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #14 for value in corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson Community College earned the #15 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Jackson Community College generally make around $39,162. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rend Lake College came in at #16 for value in corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,500, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $8,688. Corrections graduates of Rend Lake College earn a median of $42,770 early in their careers. Set against $8,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College landed the #17 spot for corrections value this year. Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,393, while out-of-state students pay about $8,049. Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,522 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Clark State Community College generally make around $39,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $16,291. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Washington State Community College generally make around $45,305. Set against $16,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nicolet Area Technical College earned the #19 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,793, while out-of-state students pay about $7,066. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $53,660. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bay De Noc Community College came in at #20 for value in corrections this year. Located in the town of Escanaba, Bay De Noc Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214, while out-of-state students pay about $11,453. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $39,075. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University earned the #21 position for value in corrections this year. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,587 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. Set against $17,587 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #22 among the best values for corrections. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $36,713. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Mid State Technical College earned the #23 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College placed #24 among the best values for corrections. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $11,851. Corrections graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $53,664 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Superior State University earned the #25 position for value in corrections this year. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $18,614. Early-career corrections graduates make about $44,286. Set against $18,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s corrections value ranking:
26
27
28
29
30
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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.