2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

For return on investment in criminal justice studies, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,679 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $32,974. That is a strong return on a $11,679 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,256 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

3

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $34,570 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

4

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $34,806. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

5

Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.

6

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.

7

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $14,917 in student loans. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

8

College Of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV

College Of Southern Nevada ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,687 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $26,301. That is a strong return on a $6,687 median debt.

9

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice studies. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $34,870. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

10

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice studies. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $40,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

11

Truckee Meadows Community College
Reno, NV

Truckee Meadows Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $52,785. Set against $12,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $13,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $38,606. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

13

Chemeketa Community College
Salem, OR

Chemeketa Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,345, compared with $14,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,755. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Chemeketa Community College earn a median of $33,406 early in their careers. Set against $15,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $20,484 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $37,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

15

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $45,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

16

Portland Community College
Portland, OR

Portland Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Portland Community College generally make around $45,061. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice studies. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $13,518 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $42,211 early in their careers. Set against $13,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

18

Linn Benton Community College
Albany, OR

Linn Benton Community College earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Albany, Linn Benton Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,317, with out-of-state students paying around $16,736. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $17,959 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,257. Set against $17,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Heritage University
Toppenish, WA

Heritage University placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the rural area of Toppenish, Heritage University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,928. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $19,988. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $67,426. That is a strong return on a $19,988 median debt.

20

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #20 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

21

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,641 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $45,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

22

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, compared with $21,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $38,444. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

23

University Of Hawaii At Hilo
Hilo, HI

University Of Hawaii At Hilo ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hilo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,838, while out-of-state students pay about $20,798. Students borrow a median of $22,615 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Hilo generally make around $38,528. Set against $22,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.

24

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,954 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $44,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

25

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico came in at #25 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Students borrow a median of $16,331 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,045. Set against $16,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.