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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

156 Colleges in the United States
$20,879 Avg Student Debt
$52,443 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Badge [Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & corrections education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 257 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice & corrections students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $50,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

2

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #2. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,625 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $31,617. That is a strong return on a $7,625 median debt.

3

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $25,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Frederick Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.

5
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Nassau Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $29,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $6,021 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,940. Set against $6,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Raritan Valley Community College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $5,500. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,248. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Essex County College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $31,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Middlesex County College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $8,119 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $32,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,119 median debt.

10

Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,167. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $29,606 early in their careers. Set against $6,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,884 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $26,907. That is a strong return on a $8,884 median debt.

12
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Camden County College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,322 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $43,451. That is a strong return on a $13,322 median debt.

13
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $6,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $25,515. That is a strong return on a $6,750 median debt.

14

Ulster County Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,666, with out-of-state students paying around $12,146. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,206 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,069. That is a strong return on a $13,206 median debt.

15

Erie Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,938 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16

Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,256. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,343. Set against $6,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Carroll Community College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18
Burlington County College crest
Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Burlington County College earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $27,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,611. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $70,610. That is a strong return on a $14,611 median debt.

20

Hudson Valley Community College came in at #20 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,700 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $30,093 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,700 median debt.

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21

Mercer County Community College placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Monroe Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $56,846. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Butler County Community College placed #23 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,910, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,836. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,492. Set against $10,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Cumberland County College placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,931. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Cumberland County College generally make around $33,568. Set against $11,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Bucks County Community College placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Students borrow a median of $10,169 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $28,719 early in their careers. Set against $10,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice & corrections:

26
27
28
29
Union County College crest
Union County College
Cranford, NJ
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY
47
48
49
50

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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 · 257 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 156 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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