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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Tennessee
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
Walters State Community College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice studies schools in Tennessee. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $16,702 in student loans. 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.
Dyersburg State Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,758 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,611 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,177. That is a strong return on a $10,611 median debt.
Southwest Tennessee Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,766, compared with $17,750 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,406 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southwest Tennessee Community College generally make around $43,592. That is a strong return on a $11,406 median debt.
Pellissippi State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Northeast State Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,782, compared with $17,766 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $6,404 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Northeast State Community College earn a median of $39,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,404 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Volunteer State Community College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,756, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $40,137. That is a strong return on a $12,462 median debt.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $24,093 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $37,952. Set against $24,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Le Moyne Owen College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Le Moyne Owen College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,076. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,594. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,281. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $36,749. That is a strong return on a $25,281 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lane College placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Jackson, Lane College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,790. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $38,680 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Lane College generally make around $35,917. That is a strong return on a $38,680 median debt.
[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
