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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

37 Colleges in the United States
$16,868 Avg Student Debt
$45,428 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Badge [Criminal Justice & Police Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-and-police-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 90 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 Middle Atlantic Region

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 Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $50,103 early in their careers. 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

Frederick Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice & police science. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $25,302. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $31,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & police science will find it at Camden County College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Students borrow a median of $13,322 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $43,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,322 median debt.

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6

Ulster County Community College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Stone Ridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Students borrow a median of $13,206 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $51,069. Set against $13,206 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Middlesex County College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $8,119 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $32,712 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Carroll Community College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,398 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $49,058. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt.

9

Cuny Hostos Community College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,254 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,134. Students borrow a median of $6,256 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $38,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,256 median debt.

10

Raritan Valley Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

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Mercer County Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.

12

Erie Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,938. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $51,676 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13
Burlington County College crest
Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Burlington County College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $27,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Hudson County Community College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $10,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $20,232. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Butler County Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. Students from in state pay about $5,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,836 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $41,492. Set against $10,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,611 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $70,610. Set against $14,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Columbia Greene Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,448. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $19,168. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Columbia Greene Community College earn a median of $34,411 early in their careers. Set against $19,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Cumberland County College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Vineland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,931 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Cumberland County College earn a median of $33,568 early in their careers. Set against $11,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Monroe Community College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $13,750. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $56,846. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.

20

Hudson Valley Community College placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,700. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Set against $10,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

Wor Wic Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,400. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $53,813. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.

22

Westmoreland County Community College placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $11,000. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

23

Niagara County Community College landed the #23 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $36,258. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Onondaga Community College landed the #24 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

25

Delaware County Community College landed the #25 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $14,163 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $57,464. 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:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
Ocean County College crest
Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 90 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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