2026 Best Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1846 institutions 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Walden University this year in the United States. Based in Minneapolis, MN, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $48,133. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,810. That is a strong return on a $48,133 median debt. See the full Walden University profile
Liberty University came in at #2 on this year's best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections ranking in the United States. Based in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Graduates carry a median of $29,323 in student loans. Liberty University alumni report median earnings of $44,813 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University has an acceptance rate of 99%. More on Liberty University
You'll get strong value at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. North Dakota State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $62,203 a decade after entry. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 95%. Get the full North Dakota State University Main Campus report
Out of the 1846 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #4 spot. Based in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,561 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sam Houston State University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Sam Houston State University is a public school based in Huntsville, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Sam Houston State University Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $23,218 in debt. Sam Houston State University alumni report median earnings of $54,211 a decade after entry. Set against $23,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. See the full Sam Houston State University profile
Capella University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Capella University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $36,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,189 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $36,500 median debt. More on Capella University
University Of North Dakota ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Located in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $19,875. Median earnings reach $63,552 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,875 median debt. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of North Dakota report
Texas State University San Marcos offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Based in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $19,500. Median earnings reach $56,906 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos has an acceptance rate of 89%. Read the full report on Texas State University San Marcos
Nova Southeastern University landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Students from in state pay about $38,700 in tuition and fees. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $25,021. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,209 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Nova Southeastern University
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public school based in Little Rock, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,911, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Students borrow a median of $30,026 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock has an acceptance rate of 59%. Get the full University Of Arkansas At Little Rock report
Northeastern University came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Students borrow a median of $22,809 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $92,538 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%. See the full Northeastern University profile
Prairie View A And M University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Prairie View A And M University is a public school based in Prairie View, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Prairie View A And M University Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $26,750 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 79% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Prairie View A And M University
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Based in Las Vegas, NV, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. University Of Nevada Las Vegas Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $20,484 in debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas alumni report median earnings of $55,037 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,484 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas has an acceptance rate of 96%. More on University Of Nevada Las Vegas
University Of New Haven ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. University Of New Haven is a private not-for-profit school based in West Haven, CT. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,332. University Of New Haven Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $60,126 ten years out. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of New Haven profile
Temple University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Temple University is a public school based in Philadelphia, PA. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Temple University alumni report median earnings of $63,727 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University has an acceptance rate of 80%. Read the full report on Temple University
Texas Southern University landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Houston, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,637, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $36,250 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,924. Set against $36,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. More on Texas Southern University
Florida State University placed #18 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Graduates carry a median of $21,170 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,675. Set against $21,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. More on Florida State University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. This public school is set in Cincinnati, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus Criminal Justice And Corrections students take on a median of $21,253 in debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $54,810 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%. Get the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus report
University Of Louisville offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Louisville, KY, University Of Louisville is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Graduates carry a median of $18,258 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,899. Set against $18,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Louisville
Florida International University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Set in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $18,623. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,249. That is a strong return on a $18,623 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Florida International University
Georgia State University placed #22 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Graduates carry a median of $26,812 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,384. Set against $26,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants. Get the full Georgia State University report
Indiana University Bloomington offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,464 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,742. That is a strong return on a $19,464 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
Michigan State University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. The median Criminal Justice And Corrections program debt is $26,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. See the full Michigan State University profile
Rutgers University Newark landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Newark, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $22,431. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,479. That is a strong return on a $22,431 median debt. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants. Read the full report on Rutgers University Newark
George Mason University placed #26 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. This public school is set in Fairfax, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical Criminal Justice And Corrections student debt is $20,761. George Mason University alumni report median earnings of $76,343 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University has an acceptance rate of 88%. Read more about George Mason University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of Central Florida landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Orlando, FL, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,731 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. University Of Central Florida alumni report median earnings of $58,308 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida has an acceptance rate of 40%. See the full University Of Central Florida profile
American University placed #28 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Located in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. American University alumni report median earnings of $77,370 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. American University has an acceptance rate of 62%. See the full American University profile
Suny At Albany landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Albany, NY, Suny At Albany is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete their Criminal Justice And Corrections program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,979. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Suny At Albany
Adelphi University landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Adelphi University
College Of The Canyons ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Read the full report on College Of The Canyons
Excelsior College came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full Excelsior College profile
Great Plains Technology Center offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on Great Plains Technology Center
Massachusetts School Of Professional Psychology ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. See the full Massachusetts School Of Professional Psychology profile
Peirce College
Peirce College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Get the full Peirce College report
Phoenix College
Phoenix College placed #35 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Read the full report on Phoenix College
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Southern Arkansas University Main Campus report
Amridge University came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Amridge University report
Athens Technical College landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Athens Technical College report
Bay Mills Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Get the full Bay Mills Community College report
Central State University offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Read the full report on Central State University
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Cuyahoga Community College District report
Delta Montrose Technical College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Delta Montrose Technical College
Fulton Montgomery Community College placed #43 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. More on Fulton Montgomery Community College
Los Angeles Southwest College offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Get the full Los Angeles Southwest College report
Northcentral University placed #45 among the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools in the United States. Get the full Northcentral University report
Oak Hills Christian College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Oak Hills Christian College
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Get the full The University Of Texas At Dallas report
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa
University Of Scranton ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Get the full University Of Scranton report
Baker College Of Flint ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminal Justice And Corrections schools. Read the full report on Baker College Of Flint
Related Criminal Justice And Corrections Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Criminal Justice And Corrections Schools (All Levels)
- 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
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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