ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Far Western Region

62 Colleges in the United States
$14,371 Avg Student Debt
$46,913 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Badge [Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 228 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice & corrections students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 7
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 43.01), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminal Justice (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Criminal Justice (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Law Enforcement (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Law Enforcement (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Corrections (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Corrections (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Administration (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Administration (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminal Justice & Law Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Criminal Justice & Law Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Criminology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Criminology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Criminology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 2
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0

2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Far Western Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice & corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

1
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $17,075. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.

4
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

A rank of #4 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.

5
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

ADBLOCK #101
6
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.

7
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $81,339. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.

8

San Diego Miramar College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,994. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $57,185 early in their careers. Set against $10,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Mt San Antonio College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $33,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Fresno City College earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,187. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $32,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

ADBLOCK #115
11
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $12,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

13
Gavilan College crest
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA

Gavilan College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College landed the #14 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.

15

Pasadena City College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,191. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,492. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

ADBLOCK #145
16

College Of The Sequoias earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $28,851 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

California State University Los Angeles earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,679 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,974. That is a strong return on a $11,679 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

18

Irvine Valley College earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19
Yuba College crest
Yuba College
Marysville, CA

Yuba College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,729. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $62,350. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College came in at #20 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.

ADBLOCK #150
21
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $11,760 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $31,146. That is a strong return on a $11,760 median debt.

23
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $31,600 early in their careers. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Imperial Valley College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $27,313. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.

25
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. 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 $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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:

26
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
27
28
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA
29
30
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA
31
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA
32
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA
33
34
Taft College crest
Taft College
Taft, CA
35
36
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
37
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
38
39
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA
40
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA
41
42
43
44
45
Porterville College crest
Porterville College
Porterville, CA
46
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
47
Merced College crest
Merced College
Merced, CA
48
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
49
50
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Narrow Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools by State

ADBLOCK #173
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 228 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options