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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice & corrections students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice & corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Copiah Lincoln Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice & corrections in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Itawamba Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $32,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Mississippi Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,095, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Holmes Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $24,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,817. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Northwest Mississippi Community College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,990. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,171 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $40,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Delta State University placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,605. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Delta State University earn a median of $41,580 early in their careers. Set against $25,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $21,125 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $36,315. Set against $21,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Alcorn State University came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Students borrow a median of $28,065 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $30,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Jackson State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,965, compared with $11,965 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Jackson State University earn a median of $27,101 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Mississippi College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $37,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.