2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Arizona
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice studies students.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Arizona
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
Leading the list is Pima Community College, our #1 best value for criminal justice studies in Arizona. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $7,562 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $47,820 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,562 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yavapai College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice studies. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $59,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Arizona College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice studies. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Rio Salado College, which ranked #4. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $51,384 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Phoenix 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 Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #6 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,996. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
South Mountain Community College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Median earnings reach $39,825 ten years out.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,447. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $78,359. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $13,750. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,204. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. That is a strong return on a $14,204 median debt.
Arizona State University earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $53,732. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Scottsdale Community College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $48,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American Intercontinental University Online came in at #14 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,397 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $37,625. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $32,231 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,625 median debt.
Northern Arizona University placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University landed the #16 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Students borrow a median of $27,048 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $45,737. That is a strong return on a $27,048 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
