by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Heritage University, our #1 best value for criminal justice studies in Washington. Located in the rural area of Toppenish, Heritage University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,928. Students borrow a median of $19,988 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $67,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Central Washington University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,954. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $44,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,954 median debt. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Saint Martins University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,510. Students borrow a median of $22,818 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Saint Martins University earn a median of $60,864 early in their careers. Set against $22,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Seattle University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,721. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,247. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $49,831. Set against $21,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seattle University admits about 77% of applicants.
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.