2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Minnesota
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
For return on investment in criminal justice & corrections, no school beat Riverland Community College this year. Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at North Hennepin Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $30,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $53,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $19,366 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Century College earn a median of $54,174 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,366 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $56,757. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,665. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,144. Set against $15,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inver Hills Community College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $23,690 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Inver Hills Community College generally make around $52,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,556. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $49,040 early in their careers. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $19,854 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $56,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $18,197 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $42,972. Set against $18,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Normandale Community College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,329. Students borrow a median of $12,891 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. That is a strong return on a $12,891 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,009. Set against $13,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,470. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $50,418. That is a strong return on a $14,470 median debt.
Central Lakes College Brainerd ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,249 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,479 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $44,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,479 median debt.
Northland Community And Technical College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Thief River Falls. Students from in state pay about $6,289 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,138 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northland Community And Technical College earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,236. Students borrow a median of $15,400 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $50,433. That is a strong return on a $15,400 median debt.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #16 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $49,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $50,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $23,181 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $49,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,432. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $22,522. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $50,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Students borrow a median of $28,076 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $65,867. Set against $28,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $23,485. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $44,037 early in their careers. Set against $23,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Winona State University earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,012 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $48,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $25,000. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $49,019 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Capella University earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $36,500. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $59,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice & corrections:
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
