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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & police science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice & police science schools in the United States. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
A rank of #3 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & police science will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
Cerritos College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,187 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $6,187 median debt.
Skyline College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
San Diego Miramar College placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Northern Essex Community College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $7,432 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $39,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College landed the #22 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Santa Ana College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $21,500. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Ventura College came in at #25 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & police science value ranking:
Other Criminal Justice & Police Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value criminal justice & police science schools at other degree levels:
[Criminal Justice & Police Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-and-police-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
