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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice (Income $0-$30k)

115 Ranked Colleges
2,574 Degrees Awarded
$20,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Criminal Justice is the 32nd most popular major in the country with 33,568 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,574 criminal justice graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 115 colleges that offered a degree in criminal justice. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great criminal justice programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the criminal justice program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Criminal Justice Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 26 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice (Income $0-$30k)

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 115 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, John Jay College of Criminal Justice landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in New York, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 131 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

John Jay not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at John Jay College of Criminal Justice are $20,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full John Jay Criminal Justice Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A & M University - Central Texas. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Killeen, Texas, this small public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A & M University - Central Texas are $13,561.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Texas A & M University - Central Texas

Out of the 115 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 32 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Criminal Justice Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. UT Rio Grande Valley is a large school located in Edinburg, Texas that handed out 11 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Criminal Justice Report

#5

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Out of the 115 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Michigan State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Michigan State University Criminal Justice Report

With a ranking of #6, Texas A&M International University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized public school situated in Laredo, Texas. It awarded 23 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M International University are $15,106, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas A&M International University Criminal Justice Report

#7

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ferris is located in Big Rapids, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ferris are $7,908, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ferris State University Criminal Justice Report

#8

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boston U is a large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 2 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Boston U

#1 in overall quality

University of Massachusetts - Lowell did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. UMass Lowell is located in Lowell, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 97 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMass Lowell has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Massachusetts - Lowell are $26,990, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Massachusetts - Lowell Criminal Justice Report

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Criminal Justice Report

#11

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

Franklin University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Franklin University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Franklin University are $16,080, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Franklin University Criminal Justice Report

#12

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in University, Mississippi, this large public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ole Miss are $25,099, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ole Miss Criminal Justice Report

#13

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Boca Raton, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Atlantic University are $18,482, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University

#14

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#6 in overall quality

Sam Houston State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 40 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

SHSU also made our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sam Houston State University are $15,704, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice at SHSU

#15

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. GVSU is a large school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 5 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Valley State University are $17,448, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at GVSU

#16

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

With a ranking of #16, Northeastern State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. NSU is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern State University are $10,600, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Northeastern State University

#17

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Middle Tennessee State University is a large school located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that handed out 13 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Middle Tennessee State University

#18

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Cloud State University are $12,904, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Saint Cloud State University

#19

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it awarded 200 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Skysong are $6,724.

Full Arizona State University - Skysong Criminal Justice Report

#19

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. University of North Georgia is a fairly large public school situated in Dahlonega, Georgia. It awarded 7 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNG are $18,354.

Read more about Criminal Justice at University of North Georgia

With a ranking of #20, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is a fairly large public school situated in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It awarded 9 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Chattanooga are $18,334, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

#21

Miami University - Middletown

Middletown, Ohio

Miami University - Middletown ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Miami University - Middletown is a small public school situated in Middletown, Ohio. It awarded 1 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Miami University - Middletown also took the #0 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Middletown are $16,484, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Miami University - Middletown

#22

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, Alaska

University of Alaska Fairbanks did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Fairbanks, Alaska, this medium-sized public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UAF are $24,287, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Alaska Fairbanks Criminal Justice Report

#7 in overall quality

University of Phoenix - Arizona ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 148 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, UOPX - Arizona has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UOPX - Arizona are $17,096, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice at UOPX - Arizona

#24

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. WIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 49 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also made our “Best Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full WIU Criminal Justice Report

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. CU Anschutz is a large public school situated in Denver, Colorado. It awarded 13 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus are $23,915.

Read more about Criminal Justice at CU Anschutz

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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