2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Louisiana

1

Louisiana State University Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

Leading the list is Louisiana State University Shreveport, our #1 best value for criminal justice studies in Louisiana. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $28,907. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.

2

Louisiana State University Alexandria
Alexandria, LA

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Louisiana State University Alexandria, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,725. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,954. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Louisiana State University Alexandria earn a median of $39,917 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Alexandria admits about 92% of applicants.

3

Louisiana Delta Community College
Monroe, LA

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Louisiana Delta Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Monroe, Louisiana Delta Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,159. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $14,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Louisiana Delta Community College generally make around $35,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Sowela Technical Community College
Lake Charles, LA

Sowela Technical Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,305. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $7,391. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Sowela Technical Community College generally make around $23,832. Set against $7,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

South Louisiana Community College
Lafayette, LA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Louisiana Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,210. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from South Louisiana Community College generally make around $38,854. That is a strong return on a $11,950 median debt.

6

Bossier Parish Community College
Bossier City, LA

Bossier Parish Community College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,268 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $32,318. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Baton Rouge Community College
Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Baton Rouge Community College is a large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. In-state tuition and fees average $4,321. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,597 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,066. That is a strong return on a $25,597 median debt.

8

Northshore Technical Community College
Lacombe, LA

Northshore Technical Community College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Northshore Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Lacombe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,299. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,815. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Northshore Technical Community College generally make around $31,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

University Of Louisiana Monroe
Monroe, LA

University Of Louisiana Monroe came in at #9 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,190, with out-of-state students paying around $21,290. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $23,250. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Louisiana Monroe earn a median of $36,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

10

Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA

Mcneese State University came in at #10 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,489, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $37,567. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mcneese State University admits about 78% of applicants.

11

Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,149, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,513 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Nicholls State University earn a median of $43,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

12

Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA

Southeastern Louisiana University landed the #12 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,024. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

13

Southern University At Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

Southern University At Shreveport ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Shreveport, Southern University At Shreveport is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,958. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $18,922. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,136. Set against $18,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Lafayette, LA

University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $23,557. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $35,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

15

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. Students from in state pay about $8,864 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $31,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $30,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

16

Southern University At New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

Southern University At New Orleans earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Southern University At New Orleans is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,054, while out-of-state students pay about $16,954. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $45,149. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Southern University At New Orleans earn a median of $39,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $45,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

17

Dillard University
New Orleans, LA

Dillard University earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Dillard University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,734 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $32,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Dillard University generally make around $26,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dillard University admits about 42% of applicants.

18

Grambling State University
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University came in at #18 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Grambling. Students from in state pay about $7,683 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,706. Students borrow a median of $39,871 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Grambling State University earn a median of $33,070 early in their careers. Set against $39,871 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

19

Southern University And A And M College
Baton Rouge, LA

Southern University And A And M College landed the #19 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,922, compared with $17,272 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,161. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 35%.