2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Pennsylvania
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 93 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Bucks County Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in Pennsylvania. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,169 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,719. That is a strong return on a $10,169 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery County Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,112. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $58,964. Set against $16,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Butler County Community College earned it the #3 place 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,000. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,836 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delaware County Community College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,163 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $57,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Lehigh Carbon Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $33,360 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,004 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $32,921. That is a strong return on a $12,004 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,449 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $31,430. That is a strong return on a $17,449 median debt.
Westmoreland County Community College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,000. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $37,916 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reading Area Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,979. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Philadelphia came in at #11 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,250. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $34,224. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $7,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,350. Students borrow a median of $11,315 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earn a median of $31,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holy Family University placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,330. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of $33,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Students borrow a median of $26,888 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $35,206. That is a strong return on a $26,888 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $26,513. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $42,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington landed the #16 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,268, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in the suburb of Lincoln University. In-state tuition and fees average $12,512, with out-of-state students paying around $19,384. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford landed the #19 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the town of Bradford, University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,770 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,644. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $36,959. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public school located in the suburb of Greensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,710, compared with $26,584 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg generally make around $36,959. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $36,959 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $26,000. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $42,175 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & corrections this year:
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 93 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
