2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

For return on investment in criminal justice & corrections, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $37,284. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. 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. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $32,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #3 place for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $12,256 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $36,092 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,256 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $34,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

5

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Texas A And M University Central Texas, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

6

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $30,739 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $34,806. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

8

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

9

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $12,000. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $43,351 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $14,917 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $35,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

11

Dalton State College
Dalton, GA

Dalton State College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Students borrow a median of $10,550 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $37,856 early in their careers. Set against $10,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,644. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,899. Set against $11,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

13

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,000. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $34,870. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

14

Atlanta Metropolitan State College
Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Metropolitan State College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Metropolitan State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,248, with out-of-state students paying around $10,400. Students borrow a median of $26,529 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Atlanta Metropolitan State College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #15 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $35,647. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

16

Indiana University Northwest
Gary, IN

Indiana University Northwest came in at #16 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $24,471 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $24,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

17

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $17,912. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $31,599. That is a strong return on a $17,912 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

18

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $25,000. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $39,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.

19

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $34,247. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

20

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,642 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $29,553. Set against $20,642 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

21

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $34,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.

22

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,016 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $44,051 early in their careers. Set against $18,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $35,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

24

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $18,623. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $36,839. That is a strong return on a $18,623 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

25

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $22,418. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $41,064 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.