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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in Maryland

6 Colleges in the United States
$22,015 Avg Student Debt
$46,966 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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice & police science students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in Maryland

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

1

Frederick Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools in Maryland. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $43,733 early in their careers. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Carroll Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #2 spot this year. Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Westminster. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $17,398. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. Set against $17,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & police science will find it at Wor Wic Community College, which ranked #3. Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,400. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $53,813. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.

4

A rank of #4 makes The Community College Of Baltimore County one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $14,611 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $70,610 early in their careers. Set against $14,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Prince Georges Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #5 spot this year. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. Students from in state pay about $4,034 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,949 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College generally make around $56,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

University Of Maryland Eastern Shore came in at #6 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,076, with out-of-state students paying around $20,122. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $28,027. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of University Of Maryland Eastern Shore earn a median of $37,393 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,027 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

7

Frostburg State University earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $42,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

8

Anne Arundel Community College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,322, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $59,894. Set against $13,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

University Of Baltimore came in at #9 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $25,500. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $48,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.

10

Strayer University Maryland ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the suburb of Suitland, Strayer University Maryland is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $56,937 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Strayer University Maryland earn a median of $58,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

View All Criminal Justice & Police Science Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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