Rankings / Value
Most Affordable Colleges for Criminal Justice
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Choosing an affordable college for a degree in Criminal Justice can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available. The schools on this list share a commitment to providing quality education while keeping costs manageable. With average earnings post-graduation around $53,484, it's clear that these institutions are focused on preparing students for successful careers in this field.
What sets these colleges apart is their combination of affordability, graduation rates, and student debt levels. You'll see a range of outcomes that matter for Criminal Justice programs, including earnings potential, graduation rates, and net price of attendance. Below, you can explore how each school stacks up in these areas, helping you make a more informed decision.
For example, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice shows strong outcomes with a net price of just $3,203 and earnings of $56,195 for graduates. In contrast, the University of Florida-Online offers higher earnings potential at $71,588, but with a higher net price of $4,815. These differences might influence your choice depending on what you value more: lower costs or higher post-graduation earnings.
Key Findings
CUNY John Jay College has a low net price of $3,203 and $56,195 in earnings.
The University of Florida-Online boasts an 81% graduation rate.
Average student debt across these colleges is $13,222.
Graduation rates range from 45% at Indiana University-Kokomo to 81% at the University of Florida-Online.
Quick Numbers
How We Ranked
Ranked by affordability with program concentration in Criminal Justice
Read our full methodology →Earnings vs. Cost
Each dot is a ranked school. Up = higher earnings. Right = higher cost. Top-left is the best value.
Graduation Rates
Longer bars = higher graduation rate.
Top 3
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
New York, NY
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Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC
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University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, FL
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Full Rankings
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
New York, NY · 11,590 students · Public
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC · 1,975 students · Public
University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, FL · 4,627 students · Public
Texas A & M International University
Laredo, TX · 6,667 students · Public
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI · 8,106 students · Public
Florida International University
Miami, FL · 39,508 students · Public
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL · 23,757 students · Public
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK · 3,018 students · Public
Indiana University-Kokomo
Kokomo, IN · 2,352 students · Public
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, TX · 28,666 students · Public
California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · 19,562 students · Public
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC · 5,762 students · Public
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL · 59,146 students · Public
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL · 13,359 students · Public
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL · 9,330 students · Public
Dalton State College
Dalton, GA · 4,553 students · Public
California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA · 15,023 students · Public
The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX · 21,005 students · Public
Portland State University
Portland, OR · 13,182 students · Public
California State University-Stanislaus
Turlock, CA · 8,385 students · Public
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL · 32,212 students · Public
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI · 5,049 students · Public
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX · 8,150 students · Public
Bethel University
McKenzie, TN · 1,547 students · Private nonprofit
East Texas A&M University
Commerce, TX · 9,912 students · Public
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN · 7,560 students · Public
California State University-Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA · 8,577 students · Public
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · 38,546 students · Public
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA · 16,146 students · Public
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY · 1,309 students · Public
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Portales, NM · 3,357 students · Public
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY · 12,318 students · Public
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, NC · 5,330 students · Public
The University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio, TX · 30,580 students · Public
Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO · 3,019 students · Public
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Alva, OK · 1,498 students · Public
Indiana University-Northwest
Gary, IN · 2,661 students · Public
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA · 32,691 students · Public
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, NC · 12,182 students · Public
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Goodwell, OK · 917 students · Public
East Central University
Ada, OK · 2,467 students · Public
Saint Peter's University
Jersey City, NJ · 2,135 students · Private nonprofit
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI · 5,989 students · Public
University of the Virgin Islands
Charlotte Amalie, VI · 1,518 students · Public
West Virginia State University
Institute, WV · 1,321 students · Public
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL · 13,874 students · Public
SUNY Buffalo State University
Buffalo, NY · 5,097 students · Public
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA · 6,622 students · Public
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV · 2,344 students · Public
Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK · 4,772 students · Public
When we look closely at the data, a clear pattern emerges between schools like Texas A & M International University and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Although both schools have similar earnings potential—$48,386 for Texas A & M and $49,620 for UTRGV—the graduation rate at Texas A & M is notably lower at 48% compared to UTRGV's 50%. This difference may affect not only the overall value of the degree but also the likelihood of completing the program.
After reviewing the list, it's essential to weigh the data against your own priorities. Consider factors like geographic location, the program's fit with your career goals, and the campus culture. For instance, if you value a lower net price, CUNY John Jay College stands out. On the other hand, if graduation rates are a top concern, the University of Florida-Online might be your better choice. Identify what's most important to you to guide your decision.
Ultimately, this data reflects a crucial reality: the path from college to a stable life is significantly influenced by these choices. One family might prioritize minimizing debt while another focuses on maximizing earnings potential. Each decision shapes the future, making it vital to approach this process thoughtfully and strategically.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Sources & Citations
Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
David Krug
Co-Founder, CollegeRanker
David Krug is the co-founder of CollegeRanker and a data systems architect focused on making institutional research accessible to families. He builds the data pipelines and ranking algorithms that power CollegeRanker, drawing from federal datasets and Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights research to measure what traditional rankings ignore: whether a college actually changes a family's economic trajectory.
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