2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, NC

Our analysis ranked Wilkes Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice studies in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $41,251 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Atlanta Technical College
Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,655 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. Set against $17,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Rome, GA

Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,492. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.

4

Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC

A rank of #4 makes Trident Technical College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.

5

Chattahoochee Technical College
Marietta, GA

Chattahoochee Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

Central Carolina Community College came in at #6 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,266. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $28,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Coastal Pines Technical College
Waycross, GA

Coastal Pines Technical College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $39,090. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.

8

Southern Regional Technical College
Thomasville, GA

Southern Regional Technical College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $9,086. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Durham Technical Community College
Durham, NC

Durham Technical Community College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $17,750. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $49,893. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt.

10

South Georgia Technical College
Americus, GA

South Georgia Technical College placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice studies. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,423. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.

11

Cleveland Community College
Shelby, NC

Cleveland Community College placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $7,131. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $44,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $9,176. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $51,825. That is a strong return on a $9,176 median debt.

14

York Technical College
Rock Hill, SC

York Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $44,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Walters State Community College
Morristown, TN

Walters State Community College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,702 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $44,624 early in their careers. Set against $16,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC

Wayne Community College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $40,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Copiah Lincoln Community College
Wesson, MS

Copiah Lincoln Community College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.

18

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

Johnston Community College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,472. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Vance Granville Community College
Henderson, NC

Vance Granville Community College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,944 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $39,750. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Stanly Community College
Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,920.

21

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

West Georgia Technical College
Waco, GA

West Georgia Technical College placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins
Warner Robins, GA

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,448, while out-of-state students pay about $6,016. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,693. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. Set against $11,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Horry Georgetown Technical College
Conway, SC

Horry Georgetown Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,500. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $30,840 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Sampson Community College
Clinton, NC

Sampson Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $12,596. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.