by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 142 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice schools in the Far Western Region. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Skyline College one of the best values for criminal justice. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
A rank of #5 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for criminal justice. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $10,994. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $57,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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College Of The Canyons earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice 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. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Fresno City College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice value this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,187. Criminal Justice graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $32,658 early in their careers. Set against $6,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. 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.
Reedley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #11 for value in criminal justice this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $28,851. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice 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, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $33,692 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $14,308. Criminal Justice graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gavilan College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, 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.
Irvine Valley College placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $28,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Ventura College earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $20,250. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $27,313. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yuba College ranked #19 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. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $62,350. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Golden West College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $21,500. Criminal Justice graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Victor Valley College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $31,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College came in at #22 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. 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. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $31,146. That is a strong return on a $11,760 median debt.
Hartnell College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,000. Criminal Justice graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $34,648 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Taft College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Taft College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Taft. In-state tuition and fees average $1,108, compared with $10,852 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,861.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice:
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 142 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.