2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Missouri
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 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 Missouri
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 Truman State University, our #1 best value for criminal justice studies in Missouri. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $21,997 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $32,176. That is a strong return on a $21,997 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
Missouri Western State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $20,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $39,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Southeast Missouri State University one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,537. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Harris Stowe State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,008, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $32,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Harris Stowe State University generally make around $34,108. Set against $32,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lindenwood University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $36,253. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Baptist University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,122. Students borrow a median of $23,187 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University generally make around $42,555. That is a strong return on a $23,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Webster University came in at #8 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Webster University earn a median of $57,152 early in their careers. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $23,694. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $45,709. That is a strong return on a $23,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
