[Criminalistics And Criminal Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/criminalistics-and-criminal-science/) 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 41 schools to find the best return on investment for criminalistics and criminal science students.
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Finding the Best Value Criminalistics And Criminal Science School for You
The criminalistics and criminal science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Criminalistics And Criminal Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Criminalistics And Criminal Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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For return on investment in criminalistics and criminal science, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $14,475 to complete the criminalistics and criminal science program here. Early-career criminalistics and criminal science graduates make about $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Moreno Valley College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminalistics and criminal science schools. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the criminalistics and criminal science program here. Early-career criminalistics and criminal science graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for criminalistics and criminal science. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminalistics and criminal science graduates is $19,349. Early-career criminalistics and criminal science graduates make about $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminalistics and criminal science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,742 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminalistics and criminal science graduates is $7,750. Early-career criminalistics and criminal science graduates make about $11,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Gulf Coast University earned it the #5 place for criminalistics and criminal science. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,046 to complete the criminalistics and criminal science program here. Soon after graduation, criminalistics and criminal science degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $28,173. Set against $19,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce placed #6 among the best values for criminalistics and criminal science. Located in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Students borrow a median of $6,325 to complete the criminalistics and criminal science program here. Criminalistics And Criminal Science graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce earn a median of $23,578 early in their careers. Set against $6,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce admits about 34% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earned the #7 position for value in criminalistics and criminal science this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminalistics and criminal science graduates is $5,750. Early-career criminalistics and criminal science graduates make about $12,517. Set against $5,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University placed #8 among the best values for criminalistics and criminal science. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for criminalistics and criminal science graduates is $21,638. Early-career criminalistics and criminal science graduates make about $39,252. Set against $21,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jacksonville State University placed #9 among the best values for criminalistics and criminal science. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the criminalistics and criminal science program here. Early-career criminalistics and criminal science graduates make about $27,926. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Alabama State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminalistics and criminal science schools. Alabama State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,248, with out-of-state students paying around $19,576. Criminalistics And Criminal Science graduates carry a median of $33,709 in student loans. Criminalistics And Criminal Science graduates of Alabama State University earn a median of $37,721 early in their careers. Set against $33,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Caribbean Forensic And Technical College landed the #11 spot for criminalistics and criminal science value this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Caribbean Forensic And Technical College is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $20,691.
Glenville State College placed #12 among the best values for criminalistics and criminal science. Glenville State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Glenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $11,354. Typical student debt for criminalistics and criminal science graduates is $29,750. Early-career criminalistics and criminal science graduates make about $38,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gannon University placed #13 among the best values for criminalistics and criminal science. Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Typical student debt for criminalistics and criminal science graduates is $26,934. Criminalistics And Criminal Science graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $73,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Tiffin University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminalistics and criminal science schools. Located in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminalistics and criminal science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminalistics and criminal science degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $38,994. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Stevenson University landed the #15 spot for criminalistics and criminal science value this year. Located in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,560. Students borrow a median of $27,042 to complete the criminalistics and criminal science program here. Early-career criminalistics and criminal science graduates make about $62,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for criminalistics and criminal science. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Seattle University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminalistics and criminal science schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the criminalistics and criminal science program here. Soon after graduation, criminalistics and criminal science degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $37,557. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
George Washington University came in at #18 for value in criminalistics and criminal science this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete the criminalistics and criminal science program here. Soon after graduation, criminalistics and criminal science degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $53,979. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. The acceptance rate is 47%.
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Criminalistics And Criminal Science Related Rankings by Major
Criminalistics And Criminal Science is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
ADBLOCK #115
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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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).
[Criminalistics And Criminal Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/criminalistics-and-criminal-science/) 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.
