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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Associate’s Degree Schools

104 Colleges in the United States
$14,652 Avg Student Debt
$40,277 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Associate's Degree Badge [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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 901 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools

1

Suffolk County Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $7,625 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $31,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes Middlesex Community College Bedford one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,950 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $41,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,950 median debt.

3
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.

4

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Chattahoochee Technical College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $9,616. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,059 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $67,732. Set against $28,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Alvin Community College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,600. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $67,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
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El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,457. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $37,202. That is a strong return on a $11,457 median debt.

8

Macomb Community College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $6,964. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Set against $6,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Central Piedmont Community College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,616. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.

10

Walters State Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $16,702 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,624. That is a strong return on a $16,702 median debt.

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South Georgia Technical College placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,423. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.

12

South Texas College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $25,738 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Trident Technical College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.

14

York Technical College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,036 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Central Carolina Community College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $28,734 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,928. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $48,704 early in their careers. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Southern Regional Technical College came in at #17 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Vance Granville Community College earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,833. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $39,750. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

El Paso Community College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $6,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $25,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Wilkes Community College placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,251. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

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21

Metropolitan Community College Area placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $13,462 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $28,511 early in their careers. Set against $13,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. In-state tuition and fees average $3,448, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,693 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Indian River State College earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $9,176 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $51,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Bristol Community College landed the #25 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $6,700. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $36,706. That is a strong return on a $6,700 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice studies:

26
27
28
29
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Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
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Grayson College
Denison, TX
41
42
43
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San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX
44
45
46
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Snow College
Ephraim, UT
47
48
49
50

Other Criminal Justice Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best-value criminal justice studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Criminal Justice Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Criminal Justice Studies
Master's Degrees in Criminal Justice Studies
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View All Criminal Justice Studies Rankings >

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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 · 901 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 104 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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