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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
For return on investment in criminal justice & police science, no school beat Colorado Mountain College this year. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $19,500. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $68,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
College Of Southern Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,130 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of College Of Southern Idaho earn a median of $30,479 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laramie County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Students borrow a median of $15,309 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $51,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Red Rocks Community College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice & police science. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $17,667 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $72,583 early in their careers. Set against $17,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Aims Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $9,062. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $57,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Delta Montrose Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the rural area of Delta, Delta Montrose Technical College is a small public university. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $4,750. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $56,589. Set against $4,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $50,546. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Bridgerland Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Logan, Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Bridgerland Technical College generally make around $28,884. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Weber State University earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $19,828. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $43,281. Set against $19,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arapahoe Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $21,351 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Arapahoe Community College generally make around $54,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
[Criminal Justice & Police Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-and-police-science/) 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.
