2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $37,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

2

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #2 spot this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $24,750. Criminal Justice graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

3

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $30,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

A rank of #4 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $14,917 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,917 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

5

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,000. Criminal Justice graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $43,351 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Dalton State College
Dalton, GA

Dalton State College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $37,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #7 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,644 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $32,899. Set against $11,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

8

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $18,750. Criminal Justice graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $35,647 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

9

Atlanta Metropolitan State College
Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Metropolitan State College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Metropolitan State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,248 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,400 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $26,529 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $37,342. That is a strong return on a $26,529 median debt.

10

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University came in at #10 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $18,016. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $44,051. That is a strong return on a $18,016 median debt.

11

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $39,833 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12

Indiana University Northwest
Gary, IN

Indiana University Northwest earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $24,471 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $24,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

13

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System came in at #13 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $19,000. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $57,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $20,052. Criminal Justice graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.

15

Colegio Universitario De San Juan
San Juan, PR

Colegio Universitario De San Juan came in at #15 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Colegio Universitario De San Juan is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,340 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $26,510 ten years out. Colegio Universitario De San Juan admits about 75% of applicants.

16

National University College Bayamon
Bayamon, PR

National University College Bayamon ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,723, while out-of-state students pay about $13,886. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from National University College Bayamon generally make around $22,882. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Georgia Highlands College
Rome, GA

Georgia Highlands College came in at #17 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Rome, Georgia Highlands College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,080. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $15,134 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $56,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Coppin State University
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $50,062. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coppin State University admits about 46% of applicants.

19

Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN

Indiana University Southeast came in at #19 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $23,950. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $43,463. That is a strong return on a $23,950 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

20

Polk State College
Winter Haven, FL

Polk State College came in at #20 for value in criminal justice this year. Polk State College is a large public school located in the city of Winter Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,694, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $15,769. Criminal Justice graduates of Polk State College earn a median of $40,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Universidad Del Turabo
Gurabo, PR

Universidad Del Turabo came in at #21 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $15,408. Criminal Justice graduates of Universidad Del Turabo earn a median of $28,231 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,408 median debt.

22

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #22 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $20,300. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $44,016. That is a strong return on a $20,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

23

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University placed #23 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Students borrow a median of $21,553 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of East Central University earn a median of $41,437 early in their careers. Set against $21,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

24

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $38,163 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

25

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University came in at #25 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $40,898. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.