2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Nebraska

1

Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

For return on investment in criminal justice & corrections, no school beat Central Community College this year. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,462 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $28,511 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Southeast Community College Area
Lincoln, NE

Southeast Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,552. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $28,473 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Northeast Community College
Norfolk, NE

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Northeast Community College, which ranked #4. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. 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. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $33,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $22,561. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $45,897 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.

6

Peru State College
Peru, NE

Peru State College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,433. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $27,367 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $38,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,367 median debt.

7

Chadron State College
Chadron, NE

Chadron State College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $32,454. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.

8

Wayne State College
Wayne, NE

Wayne State College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $41,869. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $19,250. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $40,128. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.

10

Concordia University Seward
Seward, NE

Concordia University Seward came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,640. Students borrow a median of $26,726 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,046. That is a strong return on a $26,726 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

11

Midland University
Fremont, NE

Midland University landed the #11 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the town of Fremont, Midland University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,050. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,149. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midland University admits about 66% of applicants.

12

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $27,852. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $65,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.