2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for criminal justice studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $7,625. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $31,617. Set against $7,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Bucks County Community College
Newtown, PA

Bucks County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,169 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $28,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Brookdale Community College
Lincroft, NJ

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Brookdale Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $9,721. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Delaware County Community College
Media, PA

A rank of #4 makes Delaware County Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $14,163 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $57,464 early in their careers. Set against $14,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

County College Of Morris
Randolph, NJ

A rank of #5 makes County College Of Morris one of the best values for criminal justice studies. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,040 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $23,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, PA

Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $33,360. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

7

Northampton County Area Community College
Bethlehem, PA

Northampton County Area Community College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $17,449. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $31,430. Set against $17,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Schenectady County Community College
Schenectady, NY

Schenectady County Community College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,190, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.

9

New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey City University came in at #9 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $39,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

10

Passaic County Community College
Paterson, NJ

Passaic County Community College placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $23,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Suny Westchester Community College
Valhalla, NY

Suny Westchester Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,764. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.

12

Westmoreland County Community College
Youngwood, PA

Westmoreland County Community College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Warren County Community College
Washington, NJ

Warren County Community College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,460, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,875. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $22,140. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,062. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $55,479. Set against $25,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Suny College At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Suny College At Buffalo landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $34,042 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

16

Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peters College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $28,558. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

17

Cayuga County Community College
Auburn, NY

Cayuga County Community College earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Cayuga County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Auburn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,056, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,709 ten years after entry.

18

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $23,693. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Coppin State University
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University landed the #19 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $7,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $31,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

20

Atlantic Cape Community College
Mays Landing, NJ

Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,594, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Herkimer County Community College
Herkimer, NY

Herkimer County Community College placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Herkimer. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Herkimer County Community College generally make around $37,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Holy Family University earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of $33,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.

23

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred
Alfred, NY

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,892 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $19,721. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Set against $19,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

24

Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,844. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

25

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, PA

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #25 for value in criminal justice studies this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,888. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.