2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Pennsylvania
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Our analysis ranked Lehigh Carbon Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice in Pennsylvania. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $33,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butler County Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. Students from in state pay about $5,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,836 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $41,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $37,916 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,513. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $42,972. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford came in at #6 for value in criminal justice this year. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bradford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,770, while out-of-state students pay about $26,644. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $36,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,710, with out-of-state students paying around $26,584. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $36,959. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #10 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $36,959. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
York College Pennsylvania placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $42,175. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Valley Forge Military College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, Valley Forge Military College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,176. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,798 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Schuylkill ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Schuylkill is a small public school located in the town of Schuylkill Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $15,208, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Schuylkill admits about 97% of applicants.
Strayer University Pennsylvania came in at #15 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Trevose, Strayer University Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $56,937. Criminal Justice graduates of Strayer University Pennsylvania earn a median of $43,405 early in their careers. Set against $56,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $40,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Lancaster Bible College earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice this year. Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. In-state tuition and fees average $29,990. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $28,507 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Lancaster Bible College generally make around $35,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Point Park University earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,570. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $29,037. Criminal Justice graduates of Point Park University earn a median of $40,759 early in their careers. Set against $29,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Lackawanna College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,400 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Lackawanna College generally make around $37,408. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waynesburg University came in at #20 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $37,582. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Waynesburg University admits about 90% of applicants.
Robert Morris University earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,770. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,748. Criminal Justice graduates of Robert Morris University earn a median of $58,900 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,748 median debt. Robert Morris University admits about 90% of applicants.
Delaware Valley College came in at #22 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Doylestown, Delaware Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,850 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,455 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Delaware Valley College earn a median of $39,673 early in their careers. Set against $25,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Mercyhurst College landed the #23 spot for criminal justice value this year. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,770. Students borrow a median of $19,274 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $38,557. Set against $19,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Alvernia University placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,000. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $30,250. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $39,940. Set against $30,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Temple University came in at #25 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice this year:
More Criminal Justice Rankings
View All Criminal Justice Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
