2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the New England Region

1

Bunker Hill Community College
Boston, MA

Bunker Hill Community College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $51,782 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Bristol Community College
Fall River, MA

Bristol Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $6,700. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $36,706. Set against $6,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MA

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Holyoke Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $5,658 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $37,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Massachusetts Bay Community College
Wellesley Hills, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massachusetts Bay Community College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,856, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Massachusetts Bay Community College generally make around $45,144. Set against $6,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Massasoit Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $10,875. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $36,927. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.

6

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $21,625. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $38,163. Set against $21,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

7

Mount Wachusett Community College
Gardner, MA

Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice this year. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $13,753 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $27,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,753 median debt.

8

Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT

Charter Oak State College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,506. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Charter Oak State College earn a median of $68,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Crossing, MA

Roxbury Community College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,088. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,665 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Roxbury Community College earn a median of $46,124 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Quincy College
Quincy, MA

Quincy College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Quincy, Quincy College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,938. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $15,600 in student loans. Median earnings reach $52,506 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,600 median debt.

11

Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University came in at #11 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $60,151. Set against $24,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

12

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Salem State University came in at #12 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,220 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $51,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,220 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

13

University Of Maine At Augusta
Augusta, ME

University Of Maine At Augusta came in at #13 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $36,010 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $38,588. Set against $36,010 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #14 for value in criminal justice this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Students borrow a median of $24,822 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $61,649. Set against $24,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

15

Plymouth State University
Plymouth, NH

Plymouth State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $45,528. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.

16

Great Bay Community College
Portsmouth, NH

Great Bay Community College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the suburb of Portsmouth, Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $17,639 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $48,692. Set against $17,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Nhti Concords Community College
Concord, NH

Nhti Concords Community College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice. Nhti Concords Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Concord. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Nhti Concords Community College generally make around $40,670. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Husson University
Bangor, ME

Husson University placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,304 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,178 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $46,523. That is a strong return on a $27,178 median debt. Husson University admits about 81% of applicants.

19

Norwich University
Northfield, VT

Norwich University placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice. Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Northfield. Students from in state pay about $49,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $43,523. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

20

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #20 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

21

Franklin Pierce University
Rindge, NH

Franklin Pierce University placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the rural area of Rindge, Franklin Pierce University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,442. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Franklin Pierce University earn a median of $39,031 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

22

American International College
Springfield, MA

American International College earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice this year. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,230. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from American International College generally make around $37,408. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American International College admits about 100% of applicants.

23

Anna Maria College
Paxton, MA

Anna Maria College landed the #23 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,571 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $81,066. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

24

Curry College
Milton, MA

Curry College earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,570. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Curry College generally make around $83,293. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

25

New England College
Henniker, NH

New England College placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,474. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from New England College generally make around $68,950. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.