by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminal Justice Schools](/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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice schools students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice schools, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Colegio Universitario De San Juan, our #1 best value for criminal justice schools in Puerto Rico. Located in the city of San Juan, Colegio Universitario De San Juan is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,340. Graduates go on to earn a median of $26,510 ten years after entry. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice schools will find it at National University College Bayamon, which ranked #2. National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. In-state tuition and fees average $12,723, while out-of-state students pay about $13,886. Typical student debt for criminal justice schools graduates is $21,233. Early-career criminal justice schools graduates make about $22,737. Set against $21,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Universidad Metropolitana earned it the #3 place for criminal justice schools. Located in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice Schools graduates carry a median of $16,473 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice schools degree recipients from Universidad Metropolitana generally make around $22,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice schools will find it at Universidad Del Este, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Carolina, Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Students borrow a median of $12,620 to complete the criminal justice schools program here. Early-career criminal justice schools graduates make about $19,829. Set against $12,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Universidad Del Turabo came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools schools. Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gurabo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Students borrow a median of $10,454 to complete the criminal justice schools program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice schools degree recipients from Universidad Del Turabo generally make around $28,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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University Of Puerto Rico Carolina ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools schools. University Of Puerto Rico Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Carolina. Students from in state pay about $7,986 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,626 ten years after entry. University Of Puerto Rico Carolina admits about 54% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.