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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in New Jersey

33 Colleges in the United States
$17,929 Avg Student Debt
$52,138 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Badge [Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in New Jersey

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

Essex County College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in New Jersey. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $31,908. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.

2
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Camden County College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,322 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $43,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Middlesex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $8,119 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $32,712. Set against $8,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

A rank of #4 makes Raritan Valley Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

A rank of #5 makes Mercer County Community College one of 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. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.

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6
Burlington County College crest
Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Burlington County College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $27,775. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.

7

Warren County Community College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. Students from in state pay about $5,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,875. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $22,140. That is a strong return on a $8,875 median debt.

8

Hudson County Community College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,671. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $20,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Cumberland County College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,931 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $33,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Union County College crest
Union County College
Cranford, NJ

Union County College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Students borrow a median of $11,343 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Union County College earn a median of $30,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Sussex County Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Students borrow a median of $9,875 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $32,079 early in their careers. Set against $9,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Brookdale Community College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,721 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $30,595 early in their careers. Set against $9,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Passaic County Community College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $23,559. That is a strong return on a $10,625 median debt.

14

County College Of Morris ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,040 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $23,024. Set against $9,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Atlantic Cape Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $37,141. Set against $12,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16
Ocean County College crest
Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

Ocean County College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,906, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,000. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $27,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

New Jersey City University came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,500. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,470. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.

18
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $25,993. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

19

Gloucester County College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,931. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Gloucester County College earn a median of $33,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,931 median debt.

20
Saint Peters College crest
Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peters College placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,558. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

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21

William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $35,864. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

22

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Students borrow a median of $24,672 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $39,055. Set against $24,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

23

College Of Saint Elizabeth ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Morristown, College Of Saint Elizabeth is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $25,496. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from College Of Saint Elizabeth generally make around $76,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Saint Elizabeth admits about 71% of applicants.

24

Rutgers University Camden came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,431 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $45,182 early in their careers. Set against $22,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

25

Rutgers University Newark earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Students borrow a median of $22,431 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $45,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & corrections this year:

26
Centenary College crest
Centenary College
Hackettstown, NJ
27
28
29
30
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
31
Caldwell College crest
Caldwell College
Caldwell, NJ
32
33
Rider University crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ
34
35
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
36
Monmouth University crest
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ
37

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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 · 41 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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