2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the New England Region
[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 56 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
For return on investment in criminal justice studies, no school beat Middlesex Community College Bedford this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Students borrow a median of $10,950 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $41,796. Set against $10,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holyoke Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $5,658 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bristol Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $6,700. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $36,706 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Shore Community College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice studies. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Students borrow a median of $9,656 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $32,379. That is a strong return on a $9,656 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Central Maine Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Capital Community College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rhode Island College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,625. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $38,163. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. In-state tuition and fees average $6,160, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,753 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $27,226. That is a strong return on a $13,753 median debt.
Eastern Maine Community College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $17,741 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $52,263. That is a strong return on a $17,741 median debt.
Southern Maine Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $44,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Worcester State University earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $24,953 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,132. That is a strong return on a $24,953 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Fitchburg State University placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $48,965. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,402, while out-of-state students pay about $14,862. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine At Presque Isle admits about 100% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Students borrow a median of $26,696 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $50,327 early in their careers. Set against $26,696 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Central Connecticut State University placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $60,151. That is a strong return on a $24,340 median debt. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
Westfield State University landed the #16 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $24,422 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $42,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $42,325. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #18 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Students borrow a median of $24,822 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $61,649. That is a strong return on a $24,822 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Augusta ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Students borrow a median of $36,010 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $38,588. That is a strong return on a $36,010 median debt.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $53,543. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Plymouth State University landed the #21 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,626 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $39,171. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Post University landed the #22 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,922. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $33,444. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Post University earn a median of $39,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,444 median debt.
Vermont Technical College earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Randolph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Vermont Technical College generally make around $33,093. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University came in at #24 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,232. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $63,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Bridgeport ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,760 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Bridgeport generally make around $29,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice studies value ranking:
Narrow Criminal Justice Studies Schools by State
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Notes and References
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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
