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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for criminal justice in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $50,103. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #2 makes Nassau Community College one of the best values for criminal justice. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $29,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bronx Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $6,021 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $28,940 early in their careers. Set against $6,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Students borrow a median of $6,167 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $29,606 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Raritan Valley Community College one of the best values for criminal justice. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $47,248. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $8,884. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $23,674. Set against $8,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,750. Criminal Justice graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $25,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,750 median debt.
Ulster County Community College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice this year. Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Stone Ridge. Students from in state pay about $6,666 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,146. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $13,206. Criminal Justice graduates of Ulster County Community College earn a median of $51,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hostos Community College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Students borrow a median of $6,256 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Cuny Hostos Community College generally make around $28,343. That is a strong return on a $6,256 median debt.
Erie Community College earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $12,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $51,676. That is a strong return on a $12,938 median debt.
Genesee Community College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,900, while out-of-state students pay about $6,500. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Genesee Community College generally make around $38,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fulton Montgomery Community College came in at #22 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Fulton Montgomery Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,198, with out-of-state students paying around $6,798. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $13,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Fulton Montgomery Community College generally make around $31,935. Set against $13,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Maryland ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from College Of Southern Maryland generally make around $51,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh Carbon Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $33,360. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Rockland Community College earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,862 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $10,510. Criminal Justice graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $29,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice:
Narrow Criminal Justice Schools by State
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) 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.
