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

29 Colleges in the United States
$18,544 Avg Student Debt
$42,924 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 69 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 Florida

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

1
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in Florida. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $14,080 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $48,218. Set against $14,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #2. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $15,796 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $60,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Seminole State College Of Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,942 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $36,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4
Chipola College crest
Chipola College
Marianna, FL

Chipola College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Students borrow a median of $8,847 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $38,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5
Gulf Coast State College crest
Gulf Coast State College
Panama City, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gulf Coast State College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $45,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Indian River State College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,176. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $51,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Florida Gateway College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,100, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

North Florida Community College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. North Florida Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $2,994, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $7,902 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of North Florida Community College earn a median of $46,266 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Hillsborough Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $47,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

South Florida State College earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,165 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,204. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from South Florida State College generally make around $42,415. That is a strong return on a $8,204 median debt.

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Pasco Hernando Community College earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of New Port Richey, Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,155, while out-of-state students pay about $12,032. Students borrow a median of $14,908 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Pasco Hernando Community College generally make around $53,856. Set against $14,908 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Northwest Florida State College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,583, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,808. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $48,087. Set against $11,808 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Eastern Florida State College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,791, with out-of-state students paying around $10,976. Students borrow a median of $8,635 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $51,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Miami Dade College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,563 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $34,209. Set against $9,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Florida Atlantic University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $18,750. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $41,963 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

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Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,169. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $52,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Saint Johns River State College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the town of Palatka, Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,591, compared with $9,334 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Saint Johns River State College earn a median of $47,807 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt.

18

The University Of West Florida came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,776. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $36,369. That is a strong return on a $21,776 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

19
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL

Edison State College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,356. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.

20

Florida International University came in at #20 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,623 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $42,215. That is a strong return on a $18,623 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

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21
Polk State College crest
Polk State College
Winter Haven, FL

Polk State College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,694, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,451 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Polk State College earn a median of $47,071 early in their careers. Set against $14,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $58,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

23

Palm Beach State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $69,415 early in their careers. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Tallahassee Community College came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,062. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $26,862. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Tallahassee Community College earn a median of $43,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,862 median debt.

25

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #25 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $21,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $40,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

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

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections value ranking:

26
27
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
28
29
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
30
31
32
Santa Fe College crest
Santa Fe College
Gainesville, FL
33
34
35
Edward Waters College crest
Edward Waters College
Jacksonville, FL
36
37
38
39
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL
40
Bethune Cookman University crest
Bethune Cookman University
Daytona Beach, FL
41
42
43
44
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL
45
Florida Memorial University crest
Florida Memorial University
Miami Gardens, FL
46
47
48
Saint Thomas University crest
Saint Thomas University
Miami Gardens, FL
49
50

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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 · 69 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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