2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
For return on investment in criminal justice, no school beat Southeast Community College Area this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $14,552 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $28,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,552 median debt.
Washburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #2 spot this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $20,822 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $40,052 early in their careers. Set against $20,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Cloud State University earned it the #3 place for criminal justice. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $21,500. Criminal Justice graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Northern Iowa earned it the #4 place for criminal justice. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $43,748. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $21,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $32,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Central Christian College Of Kansas came in at #6 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,000. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $36,076 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Central Christian College Of Kansas earn a median of $55,453 early in their careers. Set against $36,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Christian College Of Kansas admits about 53% of applicants.
Johnson County Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $20,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $55,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,054. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $21,133. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $39,646. That is a strong return on a $21,133 median debt.
University Of Central Missouri placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,279 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $41,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Lincoln University Missouri came in at #10 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,796 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Students borrow a median of $37,171 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $32,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Park University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $18,299. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Park University generally make around $49,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #12 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $47,898. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Bemidji State University earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice this year. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Students borrow a median of $23,181 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $49,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $36,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Butler Community College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice this year. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $28,076 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $65,867. That is a strong return on a $28,076 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $53,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $31,213 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $54,195 early in their careers. Set against $31,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Waldorf College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice value this year. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. Students from in state pay about $25,978 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $42,735. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Culver Stockton College placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the rural area of Canton, Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,875. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Culver Stockton College earn a median of $33,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. Students from in state pay about $36,658 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,528 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $43,579. Set against $27,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Sterling College Kansas earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice this year. Sterling College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sterling. Students from in state pay about $33,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,250. Criminal Justice graduates of Sterling College Kansas earn a median of $30,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Sterling College Kansas admits about 48% of applicants.
Mount Mercy University landed the #25 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,878 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $48,841. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
