2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Massachusetts
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice studies students.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Middlesex Community College Bedford tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, 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.
Bristol 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 Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Students borrow a median of $6,700 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Holyoke Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Students borrow a median of $5,658 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $37,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Shore Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $9,656. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $32,379 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,656 median debt.
Worcester State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $24,953 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $41,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,953 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Fitchburg State University placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $48,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Mount Wachusett Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Students borrow a median of $13,753 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $27,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bridgewater State University came in at #8 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,696. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $50,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,696 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice studies 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. Students borrow a median of $24,422 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $42,228. Set against $24,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #10 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $42,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $24,822 in student loans. 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 Massachusetts Amherst ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,234. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Boston University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,965. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Fisher College earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Boston, Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,689. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
American International College earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $44,230. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $29,750. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,408. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Springfield College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,974. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Springfield College earn a median of $41,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Curry College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,570. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $83,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Curry College admits about 88% of applicants.
Dean College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,526. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,969 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Dean College generally make around $30,780. That is a strong return on a $21,969 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Nichols College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Dudley, Nichols College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,705 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 $45,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nichols College admits about 81% of applicants.
Western New England University came in at #20 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,820. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,399. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,564. Set against $26,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northeastern University landed the #21 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $22,809 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $49,316. That is a strong return on a $22,809 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Endicott College placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Endicott College earn a median of $38,900 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Endicott College admits about 71% of applicants.
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
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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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
