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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Arizona Western College the best value for a degree in criminal justice in Arizona. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $44,895.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Arizona College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $48,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Phoenix Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Students borrow a median of $36,117 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $46,337. Set against $36,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $53,732. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
American Intercontinental University Online came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,397. Students borrow a median of $37,625 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $32,231. That is a strong return on a $37,625 median debt.
1
2
3
4
5
Northern Arizona University came in at #6 for value in criminal justice this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,048. Criminal Justice graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $56,285 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,048 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.