2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in South Dakota
[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.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in South Dakota
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
Our analysis ranked Northern State University the best value for a degree in criminal justice studies in South Dakota. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Students borrow a median of $26,143 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Dakota is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $40,402 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Sioux Falls is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,750. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $26,950. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Sioux Falls generally make around $38,858. Set against $26,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
