2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in New York

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for criminal justice in New York. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $50,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

2

Cuny Bronx Community College
Bronx, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bronx Community College one of the best values for criminal justice. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,021. Criminal Justice graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $28,940 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,021 median debt.

3

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $8,884. Criminal Justice graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny Kingsborough Community College one of the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $6,167 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $29,606. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Ulster County Community College
Stone Ridge, NY

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Ulster County Community College, which ranked #5. Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Stone Ridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $13,206. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $51,069. That is a strong return on a $13,206 median debt.

6

Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $29,837. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.

7

Cuny Hostos Community College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice value this year. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,256. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $28,343. Set against $6,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $25,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Erie Community College
Buffalo, NY

Erie Community College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,938. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $51,676. Set against $12,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Schenectady County Community College
Schenectady, NY

Schenectady County Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.

11

Hudson Valley Community College
Troy, NY

Hudson Valley Community College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $10,700. Criminal Justice graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $30,093 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Columbia Greene Community College
Hudson, NY

Columbia Greene Community College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,048, with out-of-state students paying around $11,448. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $19,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Columbia Greene Community College generally make around $34,411. Set against $19,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Monroe Community College
Rochester, NY

Monroe Community College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $56,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Niagara County Community College
Sanborn, NY

Niagara County Community College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $27,970. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

15

Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, NY

Onondaga Community College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $27,074 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Orange County Community College
Middletown, NY

Orange County Community College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $14,250. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $36,111. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Genesee Community College
Batavia, NY

Genesee Community College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,900, with out-of-state students paying around $6,500. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $38,483. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.

18

Fulton Montgomery Community College
Johnstown, NY

Fulton Montgomery Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Fulton Montgomery Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,198, compared with $6,798 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Mohawk Valley Community College
Utica, NY

Mohawk Valley Community College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice this year. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,500. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $36,754. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.

20

Rockland Community College
Suffern, NY

Rockland Community College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice value this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. In-state tuition and fees average $6,862. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $10,510. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $29,633. Set against $10,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Jamestown Community College
Jamestown, NY

Jamestown Community College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,840. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $15,876. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $39,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Monroe College Main Campus
Bronx, NY

Monroe College Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,464 in tuition and fees. 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 $38,602 early in their careers. Set against $20,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

23

Sullivan County Community College
Loch Sheldrake, NY

Sullivan County Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake, Sullivan County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,468, while out-of-state students pay about $12,132. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $15,950 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Sullivan County Community College earn a median of $31,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,950 median debt.

24

Herkimer County Community College
Herkimer, NY

Herkimer County Community College earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice this year. Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Herkimer. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Herkimer County Community College earn a median of $37,597 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Jefferson Community College
Watertown, NY

Jefferson Community College earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Watertown, Jefferson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,264, with out-of-state students paying around $11,700. Students borrow a median of $12,620 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Jefferson Community College generally make around $34,219. Set against $12,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.