2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 103 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Central Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $43,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Area earned it the #3 place for criminal justice studies. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,462 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $28,511. Set against $13,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hawkeye Community College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice studies. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $49,572 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Iowa Central Community College, which ranked #5. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,473 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,473 median debt.
Riverland Community College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,732. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,552. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $28,473. That is a strong return on a $14,552 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,466 early in their careers. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Students borrow a median of $19,366 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Century College generally make around $54,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $30,250. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $53,797. That is a strong return on a $30,250 median debt.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,944. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $12,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $42,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #14 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,665. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. Set against $15,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College came in at #16 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,556 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $49,040. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inver Hills Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $23,690 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Inver Hills Community College generally make around $52,724. That is a strong return on a $23,690 median debt.
Truman State University placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,997 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $32,176. That is a strong return on a $21,997 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Normandale Community College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,891 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,891 median debt.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Students borrow a median of $18,197 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $42,972. Set against $18,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
United Tribes Technical College placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice studies. United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bismarck. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,292 ten years after entry.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $22,561 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,897. Set against $22,561 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minot State University came in at #24 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,343 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $45,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #25 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. Students borrow a median of $14,470 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $50,418 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,470 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice studies:
Narrow Criminal Justice Studies Schools by State
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
View All Criminal Justice Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 103 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
