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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Brookdale Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,721 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,374. That is a strong return on a $9,721 median debt.
Passaic 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 suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,625. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $23,559. Set against $10,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Warren County Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,460, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Warren County Community College earn a median of $22,140 early in their careers. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,040 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $23,024 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,040 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Atlantic Cape Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Students borrow a median of $12,002 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Atlantic Cape Community College earn a median of $37,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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New Jersey City University came in at #6 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. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,500. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $39,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Saint Peters College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $28,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #8 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $35,864 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Students borrow a median of $24,672 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $39,055. Set against $24,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
College Of Saint Elizabeth placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice studies. College Of Saint Elizabeth is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Morristown. Students from in state pay about $36,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,496 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of College Of Saint Elizabeth earn a median of $76,861 early in their careers. Set against $25,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Students borrow a median of $22,431 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,182. Set against $22,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Centenary College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hackettstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,732. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,259. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Rutgers University Newark came in at #13 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $22,431. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $45,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $43,490. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Georgian Court University landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,110. Students borrow a median of $26,894 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Georgian Court University generally make around $54,707. Set against $26,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University landed the #16 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $33,254. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Caldwell College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Caldwell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,848. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Caldwell College earn a median of $22,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Caldwell College admits about 71% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #18 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $22,431 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,182. That is a strong return on a $22,431 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Rider University came in at #19 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,053. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Seton Hall University earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $27,167. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth University came in at #21 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $45,261. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Felician College placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Lodi, Felician College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,141. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
