2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Virginia
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Virginia
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
Leading the list is Wytheville Community College, our #1 best value for criminal justice & corrections in Virginia. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,542 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $38,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Patrick Henry Community College, which ranked #3. Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Students borrow a median of $11,235 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $33,358. That is a strong return on a $11,235 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at John Tyler Community College, which ranked #4. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,262. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $33,766. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Virginia Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,384. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $32,309. That is a strong return on a $10,384 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $37,531 early in their careers. Set against $10,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,132 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $46,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southside Virginia Community College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $7,467. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $29,666 early in their careers. Set against $7,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,495 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $46,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,999 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Set against $25,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,795 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $26,965. Set against $14,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Community College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,992, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,494. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,922. Set against $9,494 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #14 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Mountain Empire Community College generally make around $36,988. That is a strong return on a $9,036 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,084 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,768 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $40,020. That is a strong return on a $11,768 median debt.
George Mason University earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $20,761 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $49,815. Set against $20,761 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Radford University came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $35,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $32,277. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, while out-of-state students pay about $22,650. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $34,604. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $23,250. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $38,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $46,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Ecpi University earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,484. Students borrow a median of $29,903 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Ecpi University generally make around $36,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Longwood University came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,740, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $36,254. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.
Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #24 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $27,000. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,404. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Rest of the Top 33 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
This list is compiled 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
