2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Iowa

1

Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City, IA

Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice studies schools in Iowa. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,547. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City, IA

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at North Iowa Area Community College, which ranked #2. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA

A rank of #3 makes Iowa Central Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,473 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. Set against $14,473 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,779. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt.

5

Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Hawkeye Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, 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.

6

Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA

Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #6 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Des Moines Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $42,555. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.

8

Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, IA

Iowa Western Community College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. 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.

9

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $41,624. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

10

Graceland University Lamoni
Lamoni, IA

Graceland University Lamoni placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,848 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,509 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $63,443 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Graceland University Lamoni admits about 81% of applicants.

11

Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA

Briar Cliff University came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,642. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $29,918. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $61,105. Set against $29,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Grand View University
Des Moines, IA

Grand View University landed the #12 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Students borrow a median of $26,485 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $45,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

13

Waldorf College
Forest City, IA

Waldorf College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,978. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $42,735 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

14

Simpson College
Indianola, IA

Simpson College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,656. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Simpson College earn a median of $42,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

15

Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,528 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $43,579. Set against $27,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA

University Of Dubuque earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,095. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of $46,307 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.