by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & corrections education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Snow College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice & corrections schools in Utah. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,440. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Salt Lake Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,334. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $44,042. Set against $6,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $18,016 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $44,051. That is a strong return on a $18,016 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Bridgerland Technical College, which ranked #4. Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Logan. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,884. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Weber State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $19,828 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $43,281 early in their careers. Set against $19,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Southern Utah University came in at #6 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $39,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Dixie State College Of Utah ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Students borrow a median of $17,399 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $31,558 early in their careers. Set against $17,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.