2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools

1

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Our analysis ranked Texas A And M International University the best value for a degree in criminal justice studies in the United States. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,500. 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.

2

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,644 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $47,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

4

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $48,278 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

5

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,034. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

6

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $18,623 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $47,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

7

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,243 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $74,466. Set against $21,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #8 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,170. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $57,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

9

Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $29,016. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida came in at #10 for value in criminal justice studies this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $19,375. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $52,216 early in their careers. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

11

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,731 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $45,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

12

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,828 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,281. That is a strong return on a $19,828 median debt.

13

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $22,889 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $42,456 early in their careers. Set against $22,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.

14

University Of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY

University Of The Cumberlands came in at #14 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $50,379. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

15

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $20,300 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $48,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

16

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,493. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

17

Universidad Del Este
Carolina, PR

Universidad Del Este ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Carolina. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,620 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Universidad Del Este earn a median of $22,186 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,875. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

19

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

20

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University landed the #20 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $60,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

21

Columbus State University
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,917. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $82,799. That is a strong return on a $21,917 median debt. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.

22

New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey City University came in at #22 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $44,912. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

23

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $22,561 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $53,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.

24

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $24,093 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $37,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,093 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

25

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,641 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.