2026 Best Value Forensic Psychology Schools
[Forensic Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/forensic-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 71 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for forensic psychology students.
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Finding the Best Value Forensic Psychology School for You
The forensic psychology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Forensic Psychology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Forensic Psychology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Forensic Psychology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in forensic psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Forensic Psychology Schools
Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for forensic psychology in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,421 in student loans. Early-career forensic psychology graduates make about $42,009. Set against $13,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #2 place for forensic psychology. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the forensic psychology program here. Forensic Psychology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in forensic psychology will find it at University Of Houston Victoria, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for forensic psychology graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $48,689. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in forensic psychology will find it at Kean University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Early-career forensic psychology graduates make about $54,319. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic psychology schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic psychology graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $45,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Monroe College Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic psychology schools. Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $18,464 in tuition and fees. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,701 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from Monroe College Main Campus generally make around $40,329. Set against $20,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #7 for value in forensic psychology this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete the forensic psychology program here. Forensic Psychology graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $73,914 early in their careers. Set against $24,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Carlos Albizu University San Juan placed #8 among the best values for forensic psychology. Set in the city of San Juan, Carlos Albizu University San Juan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,120. Early-career forensic psychology graduates make about $50,549. Carlos Albizu University San Juan admits about 100% of applicants.
Bay Path College landed the #9 spot for forensic psychology value this year. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. Students from in state pay about $38,302 in tuition and fees. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,811 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from Bay Path College generally make around $65,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Ponce earned the #10 position for value in forensic psychology this year. Located in the city of Ponce, University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,000 to complete the forensic psychology program here. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Ponce generally make around $12,349. Set against $5,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Ponce admits about 52% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in forensic psychology this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Forensic Psychology graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $72,775 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University came in at #12 for value in forensic psychology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Forensic Psychology graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $53,733 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Touro University Worldwide came in at #13 for value in forensic psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Los Alamitos, Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,640. Typical student debt for forensic psychology graduates is $32,289. Early-career forensic psychology graduates make about $61,331. That is a strong return on a $32,289 median debt.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #14 for value in forensic psychology this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the forensic psychology program here. Forensic Psychology graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Carolina ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic psychology schools. University Of Puerto Rico Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Carolina. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,986. Median earnings reach $30,626 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 54%.
University Of North Dakota landed the #16 spot for forensic psychology value this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the forensic psychology program here. Early-career forensic psychology graduates make about $71,018. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University came in at #17 for value in forensic psychology this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Forensic Psychology graduates of Capella University earn a median of $57,897 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #18 spot for forensic psychology value this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Early-career forensic psychology graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Thomas College placed #19 among the best values for forensic psychology. Set in the town of Waterville, Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,824 in tuition and fees. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Forensic Psychology graduates of Thomas College earn a median of $35,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #20 spot for forensic psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Typical student debt for forensic psychology graduates is $23,321. Early-career forensic psychology graduates make about $39,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.
Vermont Technical College landed the #21 spot for forensic psychology value this year. Set in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,952, with out-of-state students paying around $22,296. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from Vermont Technical College generally make around $52,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rosemont College placed #22 among the best values for forensic psychology. Set in the suburb of Rosemont, Rosemont College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,854. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,211 in student loans. Forensic Psychology graduates of Rosemont College earn a median of $55,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Saint Ambrose University landed the #23 spot for forensic psychology value this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,658 in tuition and fees. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,528 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $57,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Faulkner University placed #24 among the best values for forensic psychology. Located in the city of Montgomery, Faulkner University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,920. Students borrow a median of $27,691 to complete the forensic psychology program here. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from Faulkner University generally make around $26,988. That is a strong return on a $27,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Tiffin University came in at #25 for value in forensic psychology this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the forensic psychology program here. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $40,807. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tiffin University admits about 80% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Forensic Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s forensic psychology value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
