by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Atlanta Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools in Georgia. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $17,655. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $35,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dalton State College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Students borrow a median of $10,550 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $37,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $22,363 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $41,598. That is a strong return on a $22,363 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $22,978 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $37,405. That is a strong return on a $22,978 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Atlanta Metropolitan State College one of the best values for criminal justice. Atlanta Metropolitan State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,248, with out-of-state students paying around $10,400. Students borrow a median of $26,529 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $37,342. That is a strong return on a $26,529 median debt.
1
2
3
4
5
Georgia Highlands College came in at #6 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Rome, Georgia Highlands College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $10,080. Students borrow a median of $15,134 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Georgia Highlands College earn a median of $56,814 early in their careers. Set against $15,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Southwestern State University landed the #7 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the town of Americus, Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $16,572. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $28,245. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Georgia Southwestern State University generally make around $52,428. Set against $28,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Kennesaw State University came in at #8 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $39,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville came in at #9 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,605. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,401. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $26,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia College And State University earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,186, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $39,133. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia College And State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Strayer University Georgia came in at #11 for value in criminal justice this year. Strayer University Georgia is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Chamblee. Students from in state pay about $13,920 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $56,937 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Strayer University Georgia earn a median of $43,405 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thomas University landed the #12 spot for criminal justice value this year. Thomas University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Thomasville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $33,848 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $52,991. Set against $33,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thomas University admits about 38% of applicants.
Atlanta Christian College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of West Point, Atlanta Christian College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,131 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $30,628. That is a strong return on a $35,131 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
South Universitysavannah Online earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Savannah, South Universitysavannah Online is a large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,895 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $55,652 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from South Universitysavannah Online generally make around $39,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.