Rankings / By State
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee
- 18
- Schools
- $44,876
- Avg. Earnings
- 40%
- Avg. Graduation
- $13,966
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,238
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $31,670 at the low end to $59,831 at the top. That 1.9× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Walters State Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $37,085 against $5,387 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Walters State Community College, at $5,387 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of its students, well above the 40% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Volunteer State Community College: graduates owe only 0.18× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Bethel University ($47,482 earnings), not the highest earner, King University ($59,831). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Walters State Community College ($5,387/yr) and Fisk University ($32,020/yr) produce graduates earning $37,085 and $45,454 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $26,633 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Walters State Community College outperforms King University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Walters State Community College and Middle Tennessee State University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $45K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bethel University #1 overall | $47,482 ▲ +6% vs avg | $12,595 | 35% | 81 |
| 2 Austin Peay State University #2 overall | $44,301 ▼ -1% vs avg | $9,735 | 42% | 71 |
| 3 Middle Tennessee State University #3 overall | $48,541 ▲ +8% vs avg | $13,359 | 54% | 71 |
| $41,150 ▼ -8% vs avg | $7,802 | 26% | 70 | |
| $45,989 ▲ +2% vs avg | $14,836 | 46% | 69 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee
This analysis ranks 18 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $44,876 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 40% and an average net price of $13,966.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Walters State Community College — Net Price: $5,387 | Graduation Rate: 35%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Middle Tennessee State University — 54% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: King University — Median alumni earnings: $59,831
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Legal Profession Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the legal profession and the justice system?
$44,580
Median earnings (10yr)
39%
Median graduation rate
$13,079
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Legal education is high-stakes. Graduates carry significant debt into a profession where earnings split sharply between large-firm and public-sector tracks, and bar passage is non-negotiable. The programs that deliver value combine strong bar preparation, real placement into legal employment, and costs that do not force graduates onto the large-firm track just to service loans.
Across the 18 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $44,580 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 39%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $13,079 a year, with about $21,024 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 40% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.3%.
The earnings premium at the top of legal education masks a long tail of modest outcomes, and debt amplifies every decision. With median earnings of $44,580 and typical debt of $21,024, choosing a program with strong bar-passage rates and employment outcomes matters far more than chasing a brand name.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Bethel University lands at #1 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $47,482 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,595 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Austin Peay State University lands at #2 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $44,301 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,735 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Middle Tennessee State University lands at #3 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $48,541 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,359 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Volunteer State Community College lands at #4 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $41,150 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,802 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Tennessee Wesleyan University lands at #5 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $45,989 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,836 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
East Tennessee State University lands at #6 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $44,859 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,983 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Cleveland State Community College lands at #7 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $36,671 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,384 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Cumberland University lands at #8 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $57,687 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,759 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
King University lands at #9 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $59,831 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,347 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Walters State Community College lands at #10 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $37,085 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,387 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Tennessee State University lands at #11 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,730 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,796 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
The University of Tennessee Southern lands at #12 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (68/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $38,924 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,798 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Chattanooga, TN · 81% accepted · $14,265 net
Why it ranks #13
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga lands at #13 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $51,151 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,265 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
The University of Tennessee-Martin lands at #14 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $44,213 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,701 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Le Moyne-Owen College lands at #15 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $35,594 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,099 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Bryan College-Dayton lands at #16 with a 56/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $54,434 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,614 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Lane College lands at #17 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (45/100). Graduates earn a median $31,670 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,904 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Fisk University lands at #18 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $45,454 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,020 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 18 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering a career in criminal justice, the choice of college can significantly impact both education and future earnings. In Tennessee, 17 institutions stand out for their criminal justice programs, which promise various outcomes for graduates. With average earnings around $44,780, these schools offer pathways to stable careers in law enforcement, social services, and beyond.
What differentiates the stronger programs from the rest are key metrics like graduation rates, average earnings, debt levels, and the overall completion rates of their students. The data below highlights schools that not only provide a degree but also help graduates secure jobs that pay well relative to their investment in education. As you explore the list, pay close attention to these outcomes as they reveal the true value of each program.
Take Bethel University and Middle Tennessee State University, for example. Bethel has a lower graduation rate at 35% and higher average debt of $27,249, while Middle Tennessee State boasts a 54% graduation rate and significantly less debt at $20,000. These contrasts can be pivotal in making a decision that aligns with your financial and career goals.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 11 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.3%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Tennessee State University leads the group at 2.9%, with Cumberland University (2%) and Cleveland State Community College (1.6%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 11.8% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Walters State Community College enrolls the most, at 18.4%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 10.9% across the list, peaking at 17.1% at Middle Tennessee State University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.33, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Bethel University is highest at 1.82.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
While looking at these schools, one trend emerges: the correlation between graduation rates and earnings. For instance, Middle Tennessee State University leads in graduation rates and has higher average earnings compared to Bethel University, which struggles with a lower completion rate and higher debt. This suggests that a supportive educational environment may be just as crucial as the program itself in determining long-term success.
As you weigh your options, consider how factors like location, campus culture, and financial commitments fit into your personal priorities. If a lower net price is essential for you, Volunteer State Community College offers a great option, but it comes with lower earning potential. Think about what matters most to you and how these schools align with your goals.
The data here paints a clear picture of the potential path from college to a stable life. Choosing the right criminal justice program in Tennessee can lead to a fulfilling career, but it requires careful consideration of graduation rates, earnings, and debt levels. One decision could set the course for your future, so take the time to evaluate what these numbers mean for you.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee ranking? +
Bethel University in McKenzie, TN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $47,482 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 35% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
King University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $59,831 ten years after enrollment, well above the $44,876 average across the 18 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Walters State Community College leads: graduates earn a median $37,085 against net price of about $5,387 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Middle Tennessee State University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 54%, compared with a 40% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $13,966 a year across the 18 ranked schools with cost data. Walters State Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,387. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 18 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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