[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 901 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies School for You
The right criminal justice studies school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice studies schools in the United States. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,679. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $32,974. Set against $11,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #2 place for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,256 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $7,625 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $31,617. Set against $7,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Middlesex Community College Bedford, which ranked #4. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Students borrow a median of $10,950 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $41,796. Set against $10,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #5 place for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $34,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Pima Community College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $7,562. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $47,820. Set against $7,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $34,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $28,059. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $67,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,600. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $67,797. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,492. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
Indian River State College landed the #14 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,176 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $51,825 early in their careers. Set against $9,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilkes Community College earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,251. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Macomb Community College earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $6,964. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,964 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Students borrow a median of $17,655 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
South Texas College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice studies. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $6,500. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,432. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #20 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $14,917 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $35,029. That is a strong return on a $14,917 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Central Carolina Community College earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $28,734. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Trident Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
York Technical College came in at #24 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,500. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of York Technical College earn a median of $44,401 early in their careers. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $49,893. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice studies this year:
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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 · 901 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 424 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).
[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) 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.
