2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
[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 53 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice studies students.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Bucks County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice studies schools in Pennsylvania. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,169 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $28,719 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware 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 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. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,163. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $57,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lehigh Carbon Community College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice studies. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $33,360. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $17,449 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $31,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westmoreland County Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Holy Family University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,888 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,206 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington landed the #8 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,268, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,512, while out-of-state students pay about $19,384. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $28,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Central Pennsylvania College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Summerdale, Central Pennsylvania College is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,854. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $47,319. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Pennsylvania College earn a median of $40,145 early in their careers. Set against $47,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Pennsylvania College admits about 18% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $37,311. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Rosemont College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Rosemont, Rosemont College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,854. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $29,211 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Rosemont College earn a median of $55,678 early in their careers. Set against $29,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rosemont College admits about 76% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Schuylkill earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Schuylkill is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 97%.
La Salle University placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $38,832. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Seton Hill University landed the #20 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,944. Students borrow a median of $26,556 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $53,485. Set against $26,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seton Hill University admits about 80% of applicants.
La Roche College earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Pittsburgh, La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,052. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from La Roche College generally make around $35,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Gannon University placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Students from in state pay about $40,656 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,594 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $39,788. That is a strong return on a $24,594 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Keystone College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of La Plume, Keystone College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $33,645. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Keystone College admits about 85% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #24 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Kings College earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Kings College earn a median of $35,761 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice studies:
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
View All Criminal Justice Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
