2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Minnesota
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Riverland Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools in Minnesota. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #2 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $30,250 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $53,797. Set against $30,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Students borrow a median of $19,366 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Century College earn a median of $54,174 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Inver Hills Community College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Students borrow a median of $23,690 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $52,724. Set against $23,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ridgewater College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice studies. 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. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $49,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College came in at #6 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cloquet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006. Students borrow a median of $15,665 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,665 median debt.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice studies value 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Normandale Community College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $12,891. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $53,871. Set against $12,891 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #9 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,470. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $50,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Lakes College Brainerd came in at #10 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brainerd. In-state tuition and fees average $6,249. Students borrow a median of $14,479 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,264. Set against $14,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $49,412 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $50,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bemidji State University earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Students borrow a median of $23,181 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $49,617. Set against $23,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,432. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $22,522. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Minnesota State College Southeast Technical earn a median of $50,290 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,522 median debt.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,076 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $65,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,076 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #16 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Students borrow a median of $23,485 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $44,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University landed the #17 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,012 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $48,861. Set against $26,012 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #18 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $49,019. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Capella University earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Students borrow a median of $36,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Capella University earn a median of $59,630 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,500 median debt.
Metropolitan State University placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $31,213. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $52,125 early in their careers. Set against $31,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #21 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $28,708 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $64,894. That is a strong return on a $28,708 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Minnesota placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Students borrow a median of $23,505 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $44,857 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
