[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & corrections education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1884 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
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Finding the Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections School for You
The criminal justice & corrections program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $50,103. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
College Of San Mateo came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Grossmont College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,679 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,974. That is a strong return on a $11,679 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,256 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $36,092 early in their careers. Set against $12,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Moraine Valley Community College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,776. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $33,692 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,080 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,306. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $12,643. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $81,339 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $28,492. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $11,760 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $31,146. That is a strong return on a $11,760 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Students borrow a median of $12,942 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $36,589 early in their careers. Set against $12,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Frederick Community College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,778. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,700. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,625 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $31,617 early in their careers. Set against $7,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,187 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $32,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,187 median debt.
Yuba College came in at #20 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $62,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Students borrow a median of $10,950 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $41,796. That is a strong return on a $10,950 median debt.
Pima Community College earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $7,562 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $5,939. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,796. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $60,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,796 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections value ranking:
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 · 1884 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 802 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).
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & corrections education at a price that pays off.
