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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Our analysis ranked Central Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice & corrections in the The Plains States Region. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. 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 Saint Louis Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,999 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 Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,500. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,547. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Metropolitan Community College Area one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,462 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $28,511. Set against $13,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Jefferson College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $61,641. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Northeast Community College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $33,064. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $49,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Crowder College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Students borrow a median of $9,887 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $4,821 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $48,137 early in their careers. Set against $4,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,473 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & corrections education at a price that pays off.
