2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in New Jersey
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice students.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in New Jersey
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
Raritan Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools in New Jersey. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Union County College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $11,343. Criminal Justice graduates of Union County College earn a median of $30,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,343 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Gloucester County College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,931 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $33,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Kean University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $25,993 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $39,408. That is a strong return on a $25,993 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $24,672. Criminal Justice graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $39,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,672 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
College Of Saint Elizabeth landed the #6 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the suburb of Morristown, College Of Saint Elizabeth is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,740. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,496 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of College Of Saint Elizabeth earn a median of $76,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #7 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $43,490. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.
Berkeley College Woodland Park placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of Woodland Park, Berkeley College Woodland Park is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,320. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $23,858. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Berkeley College Woodland Park generally make around $31,091. Set against $23,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #9 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $36,070. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University came in at #10 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $27,167 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Monmouth University landed the #11 spot for criminal justice value this year. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $49,709. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Felician College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of Lodi, Felician College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,300. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $56,976. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
More Criminal Justice Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
