2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 69 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & police science students.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the The Plains States 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
Our analysis ranked Saint Louis Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice & police science in the The Plains States Region. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,999 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Crowder College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice & police science. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $9,887. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $13,664. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $61,641 early in their careers. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $43,547. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $4,821 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $48,137. That is a strong return on a $4,821 median debt.
Northeast Community College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $33,064 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $49,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,043. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $14,473 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,121 early in their careers. Set against $14,473 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $11,000. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $49,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
North Hennepin Community College placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Students from in state pay about $5,061 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $30,250. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $53,797. Set against $30,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt.
Century College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Students borrow a median of $19,366 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Century College earn a median of $54,174 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,366 median debt.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #14 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $56,757. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cloquet. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $15,665 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $51,144 early in their careers. Set against $15,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inver Hills Community College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $23,690. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $52,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,121 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,556 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $49,040 early in their careers. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Students borrow a median of $19,854 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $56,699. That is a strong return on a $19,854 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #20 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $42,555. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Lake Region State College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Devils Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,520. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,131. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Lake Region State College generally make around $57,765. Set against $10,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mineral Area College earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,660, compared with $8,570 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $45,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Normandale Community College came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,891. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. Set against $12,891 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $21,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $32,776. That is a strong return on a $21,972 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College landed the #25 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $43,009. That is a strong return on a $13,946 median debt.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & police science this year:
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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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
