2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Snow College
Ephraim, UT

For return on investment in criminal justice studies, no school beat Snow College this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

College Of Southern Idaho
Twin Falls, ID

A rank of #2 makes College Of Southern Idaho one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,130 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of College Of Southern Idaho earn a median of $30,479 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $6,334. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $44,042. That is a strong return on a $6,334 median debt.

4

Laramie County Community College
Cheyenne, WY

A rank of #4 makes Laramie County Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, compared with $10,913 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,309 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $51,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

College Of Western Idaho
Nampa, ID

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at College Of Western Idaho, which ranked #5. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Students borrow a median of $7,381 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $35,959 early in their careers.

6

Casper College
Casper, WY

Casper College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Students borrow a median of $12,598 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,598 median debt.

7

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,828 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $43,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Sheridan College
Sheridan, WY

Sheridan College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,130 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $13,910 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $49,039. Set against $13,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming came in at #9 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $19,393 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $38,797. Set against $19,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

10

North Idaho College
Coeur d'Alene, ID

North Idaho College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,396, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt.

11

Lewis Clark State College
Lewiston, ID

Lewis Clark State College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,610 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,028 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,458 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,442. Set against $26,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

12

Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #12 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,130. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $44,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

13

Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $50,705 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs generally make around $40,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Montana State University Billings
Billings, MT

Montana State University Billings ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Billings. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, with out-of-state students paying around $22,897. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,465. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $48,764. That is a strong return on a $25,465 median debt.

15

Dixie State College Of Utah
Saint George, UT

Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #15 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,399 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $31,558. Set against $17,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

Mesa State College earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $51,921. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.

17

Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID

Idaho State University came in at #17 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $24,640. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $51,446 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

University Of Northern Colorado earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $18,568 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $38,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

19

Boise State University
Boise, ID

Boise State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $22,071. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $37,891 early in their careers. Set against $22,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.