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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools

33 Colleges in the United States
$27,122 Avg Student Debt
$48,254 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Bachelor's Degree Badge [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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & police science education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 706 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice & police science schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice & police science degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice & police science schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $15,500. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $30,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

3

Indian River State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $43,351 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

A rank of #4 makes Oklahoma Panhandle State University one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Goodwell. In-state tuition and fees average $8,092, while out-of-state students pay about $8,675. Students borrow a median of $24,249 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Oklahoma Panhandle State University earn a median of $53,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,249 median debt.

5

Western New Mexico University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $20,379. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $32,386. That is a strong return on a $20,379 median debt.

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Purdue University Northwest ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $51,424 early in their careers. Set against $25,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

7

Universidad Del Turabo earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Students borrow a median of $15,408 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Universidad Del Turabo generally make around $28,231. That is a strong return on a $15,408 median debt.

8
Universidad Del Este crest
Universidad Del Este
Carolina, PR

Universidad Del Este landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Carolina. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $19,052. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.

9
University Of The Virgin Islands crest
University Of The Virgin Islands
Charlotte Amalie, VI

University Of The Virgin Islands came in at #9 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. University Of The Virgin Islands is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Charlotte Amalie. In-state tuition and fees average $5,957, while out-of-state students pay about $16,557. Students borrow a median of $26,980 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $36,846. Set against $26,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

10

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,742. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla generally make around $16,702. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

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Universidad Metropolitana placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $23,509 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $19,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,509 median debt.

12
Polk State College crest
Polk State College
Winter Haven, FL

Polk State College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,694, while out-of-state students pay about $9,818. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $15,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Polk State College generally make around $40,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $15,269 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $40,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

14

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce landed the #14 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $8,250. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce earn a median of $17,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.

15

Eastern Kentucky University earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $31,548. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

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Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice & police science 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. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $21,030 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $46,644. Set against $21,030 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $14,750. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro earn a median of $19,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

18

University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt.

19

Weber State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $19,828 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $43,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Monroe College Main Campus landed the #20 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $18,464 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Monroe College Main Campus generally make around $32,695. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Monroe College Main Campus admits about 68% of applicants.

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Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $21,170 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $34,922. That is a strong return on a $21,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

22

University Of North Georgia placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,363 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

23

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Guayama, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $9,109 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $25,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Guayama admits about 36% of applicants.

24

Southern Utah University earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $39,744. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

25
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University landed the #25 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $25,260. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $44,897. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & police science this year:

26
Wiley College crest
Wiley College
Marshall, TX
27
28
29
30
31
Nevada State College crest
Nevada State College
Henderson, NV
32
33
34
Lincoln University Missouri crest
Lincoln University Missouri
Jefferson City, MO
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Other Criminal Justice & Police Science Degree Levels

Explore the best-value criminal justice & police science schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Criminal Justice & Police Science
Associate's Degrees in Criminal Justice & Police Science
Master's Degrees in Criminal Justice & Police Science
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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 706 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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