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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Florida

15 Colleges in the United States
$21,973 Avg Student Debt
$49,850 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Badge [Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Florida

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools

1

For return on investment in criminal justice studies, no school beat Indian River State College this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,176 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $51,825 early in their careers. Set against $9,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

A rank of #2 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $41,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #3 place for criminal justice studies. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $21,776 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,369. That is a strong return on a $21,776 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

4

Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $18,623. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $42,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

5
Polk State College crest
Polk State College
Winter Haven, FL

Polk State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,694, while out-of-state students pay about $9,818. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,451. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $47,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #6 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $21,660 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,079. Set against $21,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of North Florida landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,450. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.

8

University Of Central Florida placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice studies. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,731 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $41,273 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

9
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,170 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $46,245 early in their careers. Set against $21,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

10

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University landed the #10 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $28,500. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $33,776 early in their careers. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.

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Edward Waters College crest
Edward Waters College
Jacksonville, FL

Edward Waters College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Edward Waters College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,366. Median earnings reach $34,782 ten years out. Edward Waters College admits about 85% of applicants.

12
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,000. Students borrow a median of $30,476 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Saint Leo University generally make around $46,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Leo University admits about 78% of applicants.

13

Florida National University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Hialeah, Florida National University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,368. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,884. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,302. Set against $27,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14
Saint Thomas University crest
Saint Thomas University
Miami Gardens, FL

Saint Thomas University came in at #14 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Saint Thomas University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami Gardens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,770. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Saint Thomas University generally make around $34,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Thomas University admits about 98% of applicants.

15

Southeastern University landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,950. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $41,291 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.

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16
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University came in at #16 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,021. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $71,836. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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