2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Minnesota

1

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools in Minnesota. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

2

Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bemidji State University earned it the #2 place for criminal justice. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $23,181. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $49,617. That is a strong return on a $23,181 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

3

Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Southwest Minnesota State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.

4

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $28,076 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $65,867. Set against $28,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

5

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,000. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $53,088. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.

6

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $31,213. Criminal Justice graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $54,195 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.