2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Washington

1

Spokane Community College
Spokane, WA

Spokane Community College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice & corrections schools in Washington. Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,486 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $41,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,269 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $40,669. That is a strong return on a $15,269 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

3

Shoreline Community College
Shoreline, WA

Shoreline Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Shoreline. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,115, with out-of-state students paying around $7,905. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Shoreline Community College earn a median of $62,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom
Lakewood, WA

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,418, with out-of-state students paying around $5,976. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Heritage University
Toppenish, WA

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Heritage University, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Toppenish, Heritage University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,928 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $19,988. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Heritage University generally make around $67,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Green River Community College
Auburn, WA

Green River Community College came in at #6 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,711, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.

7

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University came in at #7 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $21,954 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $44,172. Set against $21,954 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

Saint Martins University
Lacey, WA

Saint Martins University placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,510. Students borrow a median of $22,818 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Saint Martins University generally make around $60,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

9

Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,247 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $49,831 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.