2026 Best Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Schools
Looking for the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1846 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Southeast Community College Area this year in the United States. Set in Lincoln, NE, Southeast Community College Area is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Southeast Community College Area Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $14,552 in debt. Median earnings reach $43,405 ten years out. Set against $14,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Southeast Community College Area
You'll get strong value at Columbia Southern University, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,224. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $23,641. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,534 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,641 median debt. See the full Columbia Southern University profile
A rank of #3 makes Camden County College one of the best values in the United States. Camden County College is a public school based in Blackwood, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $13,322. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,212. Set against $13,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Camden County College
Out of the 1846 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Northeast Community College landed the #4 spot. Based in Norfolk, NE, Northeast Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Northeast Community College Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $9,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $42,634 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Northeast Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alexandria Technical And Community College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Alexandria, MN, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,236. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $15,400. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Alexandria Technical And Community College
North Hennepin Community College landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Brooklyn Park, MN, North Hennepin Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Graduates carry a median of $30,250 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,142. That is a strong return on a $30,250 median debt. Read more about North Hennepin Community College
Amarillo College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Based in Amarillo, TX, Amarillo College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $16,624. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,302 ten years after entry. Set against $16,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Amarillo College
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Cloquet, MN, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $15,665 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,665. That is a strong return on a $15,665 median debt. More on Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College
Northcentral Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Northcentral Technical College is a public school based in Wausau, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $14,250. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Northcentral Technical College
Normandale Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Bloomington, MN, Normandale Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,329. Graduates carry a median of $12,891 in student loans. Normandale Community College alumni report median earnings of $50,207 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Normandale Community College
South Plains College landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Levelland, TX, South Plains College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. South Plains College Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $9,291 in debt. South Plains College alumni report median earnings of $41,276 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,291 median debt. Read more about South Plains College
New Mexico State University Grants ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Set in Grants, NM, New Mexico State University Grants is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Graduates carry a median of $7,425 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,067. Set against $7,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on New Mexico State University Grants
Lake Region State College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Set in Devils Lake, ND, Lake Region State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,520. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $10,131. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,502. Set against $10,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Lake Region State College
American Public University System ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Based in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,400. Students borrow a median of $21,243 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. American Public University System alumni report median earnings of $44,409 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,243 median debt. See the full American Public University System profile
Lakeshore Technical College landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Cleveland, WI, Lakeshore Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Students borrow a median of $11,582 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,113. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Lakeshore Technical College report
Tyler Junior College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Located in Tyler, TX, Tyler Junior College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $12,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,140. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Read the full report on Tyler Junior College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Fennimore, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,904, with out-of-state students paying around $7,147. Graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,470. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt. Read more about Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Located in Omaha, NE, Metropolitan Community College Area is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $13,462. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,773. That is a strong return on a $13,462 median debt. Read more about Metropolitan Community College Area
Mid State Technical College placed #19 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Set in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Mid State Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Median earnings reach $42,253 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Mid State Technical College profile
Eastern Gateway Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Eastern Gateway Community College is a public school based in Steubenville, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,225, while out-of-state students pay about $6,071. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $10,642. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,127. That is a strong return on a $10,642 median debt. Read more about Eastern Gateway Community College
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Barranquitas, PR, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,742. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $4,217 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $23,204. Set against $4,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%. More on Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas
Hennepin Technical College placed #22 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Set in Brooklyn Park, MN, Hennepin Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,940. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $19,854. Hennepin Technical College alumni report median earnings of $49,460 a decade after entry. Set against $19,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Hennepin Technical College
El Centro College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Graduates carry a median of $13,727 in student loans. Median earnings reach $41,714 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $13,727 median debt. Get the full El Centro College report
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Brownsville, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,900. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt. More on The University Of Texas At Brownsville
Oakland Community College placed #25 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Oakland Community College is a public school based in Auburn Hills, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $13,506. Median earnings reach $37,395 ten years out. Set against $13,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Oakland Community College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Inver Hills Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Based in Inver Grove Heights, MN, Inver Hills Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $23,690. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,898. That is a strong return on a $23,690 median debt. Read the full report on Inver Hills Community College
Madison Area Technical College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Madison Area Technical College is a public school based in Madison, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $13,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,413 ten years after entry. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Madison Area Technical College profile
Northland Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Based in Thief River Falls, MN, Northland Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,289. Students borrow a median of $12,138 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,425. That is a strong return on a $12,138 median debt. Read the full report on Northland Community And Technical College
College Of The Mainland offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Texas City, TX, College Of The Mainland is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,639 ten years after entry. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full College Of The Mainland profile
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Based in La Crosse, WI, Western Technical College La Cross is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Students borrow a median of $15,494 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,303. Set against $15,494 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Western Technical College La Cross
Century College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Based in White Bear Lake, MN, Century College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $19,366. Century College alumni report median earnings of $46,424 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Century College report
Wharton County Junior College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Set in Wharton, TX, Wharton County Junior College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $8,753. Median earnings reach $44,960 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,753 median debt. Read the full report on Wharton County Junior College
Gateway Technical College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Kenosha, WI, Gateway Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,084 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,264 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Gateway Technical College
Colorado State University Global Campus placed #34 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. This public school is set in Denver, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $9,000. Colorado State University Global Campus Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $38,276 in debt. Colorado State University Global Campus alumni report median earnings of $76,813 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $38,276 median debt. Colorado State University Global Campus admits about 98% of applicants. See the full Colorado State University Global Campus profile
Prince Georges Community College placed #35 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Set in Largo, MD, Prince Georges Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,034, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Students borrow a median of $13,949 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Prince Georges Community College
Lake Area Technical Institute placed #35 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Based in Watertown, SD, Lake Area Technical Institute is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,718 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Lake Area Technical Institute alumni report median earnings of $45,473 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Read more about Lake Area Technical Institute
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Located in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Waukesha County Technical College Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $16,813 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Waukesha County Technical College
Lone Star College System ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Lone Star College System is a public school based in The Woodlands, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,542 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Lone Star College System alumni report median earnings of $42,466 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,542 median debt. Read more about Lone Star College System
Fox Valley Technical College placed #39 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Fox Valley Technical College is a public school based in Appleton, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,684 ten years after entry. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Fox Valley Technical College
Wayne State College placed #40 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Located in Wayne, NE, Wayne State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $25,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,075 ten years after entry. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Wayne State College
Chadron State College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Chadron State College is a public school based in Chadron, NE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Chadron State College alumni report median earnings of $47,002 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. Read more about Chadron State College
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Set in Eau Claire, WI, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $13,537. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,297. Set against $13,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Chippewa Valley Technical College
Schoolcraft College came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Located in Livonia, MI, Schoolcraft College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $11,868. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,722 ten years after entry. Set against $11,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Schoolcraft College
Delgado Community College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Set in New Orleans, LA, Delgado Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,279 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,687 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,305. That is a strong return on a $30,687 median debt. Get the full Delgado Community College report
College Of Southern Idaho offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Set in Twin Falls, ID, College Of Southern Idaho is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. College Of Southern Idaho Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $11,130 in debt. College Of Southern Idaho alumni report median earnings of $40,916 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about College Of Southern Idaho
El Paso Community College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Located in El Paso, TX, El Paso Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Graduates carry a median of $6,084 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about El Paso Community College
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies placed #47 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a private not-for-profit school based in Fayette, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,500. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $26,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read the full report on Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
Southern Crescent Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Southern Crescent Technical College is a public school based in Griffin, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,104. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt. See the full Southern Crescent Technical College profile
New Mexico State University Dona Ana landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $7,425. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,067. That is a strong return on a $7,425 median debt. More on New Mexico State University Dona Ana
Mclennan Community College placed #50 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Mclennan Community College is a public school based in Waco, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Mclennan Community College
Best Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Schools by Degree Level
Compare value rankings by degree level:
- Best Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1846 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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