by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Bunker Hill Community College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice schools in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $5,500. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $51,782. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bristol Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $6,700 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $36,706 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,700 median debt.
Holyoke Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #3 spot this year. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Students borrow a median of $5,658 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $37,533. Set against $5,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Massachusetts Bay Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,856 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,333 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $45,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massasoit Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,376, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $36,927. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Roxbury Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $11,088. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,665 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $46,124. Set against $11,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount Wachusett Community College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,160, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $13,753. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $27,226. Set against $13,753 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Quincy College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Quincy College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Quincy. Students from in state pay about $8,938 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $15,600 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,506 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,600 median debt.
Salem State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,220. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $51,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #10 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $24,822 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $61,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Boston University came in at #11 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,232. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
American International College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Anna Maria College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,571. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Anna Maria College generally make around $81,066. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Curry College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,570 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Curry College generally make around $83,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Nichols College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the suburb of Dudley, Nichols College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,705. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Nichols College generally make around $45,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Merrimack College earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,962 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $54,859 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.