by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 81 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in criminal justice studies, no school beat Wilkes Community College this year. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,251. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $28,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $49,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Cleveland Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,116. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $44,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
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Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnston Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $9,490. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Sampson Community College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $45,929 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Stanly Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,920.
Martin Community College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Martin Community College is a small public school located in the town of Williamston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,523, compared with $8,667 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Martin Community College earn a median of $42,820 early in their careers.
Vance Granville Community College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $1,944 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. 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.
South Piedmont Community College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Polkton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $17,823. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $47,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $30,235. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $46,993. Set against $10,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $16,969. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Sylva came in at #18 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $13,708 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $36,418 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,708 median debt.
Beaufort County Community College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,540, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $38,009. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #20 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. Students from in state pay about $2,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Set against $10,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Students borrow a median of $9,984 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $38,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Robeson Community College earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $52,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Fear Community College earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,748, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $16,042 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $52,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gaston College came in at #24 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $50,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.
Mayland Community College placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Mayland Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Spruce Pine. In-state tuition and fees average $2,626, compared with $8,770 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Mayland Community College generally make around $17,144.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.