[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 747 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice students.
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Finding the Best Value Criminal Justice School for You
The criminal justice program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Criminal Justice Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Criminal Justice Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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For return on investment in criminal justice, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $50,103. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #2. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grossmont College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $9,776. Criminal Justice graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Petersburg College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $14,080 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Set against $14,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice value this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $9,384. Criminal Justice graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $33,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Moorpark College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $11,306. Criminal Justice graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Moreno Valley College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,643. Criminal Justice graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $81,339 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $28,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,187 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $32,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,187 median debt.
Sacramento City College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,760 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $31,146. Set against $11,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Seminole State College Of Florida placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,942. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $36,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $5,939. Criminal Justice graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #16 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $10,994. Criminal Justice graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $57,185 early in their careers. Set against $10,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yuba College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $62,350. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $15,796. Criminal Justice graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $60,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,500. Criminal Justice graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
West Valley College came in at #20 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Chabot College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $14,122. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $13,506 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $51,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,414 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $73,170. Set against $15,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $111,649. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt.
Irvine Valley College came in at #25 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the criminal justice program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice value ranking:
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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 · 747 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 261 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).
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice education at a price that pays off.
