2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice schools in the United States. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Criminal Justice graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $62,921 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

2

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #2. 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, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $46,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

3

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,644 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $37,728. That is a strong return on a $11,644 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

4

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $48,278. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

5

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $58,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

6

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $21,243 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $74,466 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University landed the #7 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $21,553. Criminal Justice graduates of East Central University earn a median of $41,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

8

Monroe College Main Campus
Bronx, NY

Monroe College Main Campus landed the #8 spot for criminal justice value this year. Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,464. Students borrow a median of $20,975 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Monroe College Main Campus earn a median of $58,544 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

9

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $49,381. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY

University Of The Cumberlands earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $50,379. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.

11

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,300 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $48,006 early in their careers. Set against $20,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

12

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $40,493. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $31,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

14

The University Of Tennessee Martin
Martin, TN

The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $22,671 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $32,167 early in their careers. Set against $22,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.

15

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University came in at #15 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,993. Criminal Justice graduates of Kean University earn a median of $39,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,993 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

16

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $24,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $37,952. Set against $24,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.

17

Universidad Del Este
Carolina, PR

Universidad Del Este earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Carolina, Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $12,620 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Universidad Del Este earn a median of $22,186 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,620 median debt.

18

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $21,880 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $51,699. That is a strong return on a $21,880 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $22,171. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $48,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

20

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #20 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $22,995 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $37,403. That is a strong return on a $22,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

21

Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,050 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $35,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.

22

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis landed the #22 spot for criminal justice value this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $35,900 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

23

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global placed #23 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,137 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $51,495. Set against $25,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Colorado State University Global Campus
Denver, CO

Colorado State University Global Campus placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Denver, Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $38,276 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Colorado State University Global Campus generally make around $65,349. That is a strong return on a $38,276 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

25

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Troy University earn a median of $45,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.