Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

247 Ranked Colleges
6,653 Degrees Awarded
$24,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 113,581 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, criminal justice and corrections is the 6th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, criminal justice and corrections graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $31,952 and had an average of $24,936 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 6,653 criminal justice and corrections graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 247 colleges that offer a degree in criminal justice and corrections. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent criminal justice and corrections programs, but they also 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 and corrections program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Criminal Justice & Corrections 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 $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice & Corrections (Income $30-$48k)

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 247 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #2 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Chicago

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 208 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at John Jay, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at John Jay are $20,962.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

#3

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

Out of the 247 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northeastern University landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 36 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern also took the #4 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern University are $25,558.

Full Northeastern Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#4

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Franklin University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Franklin University is a medium-sized school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 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 Franklin University are $16,080.

Full Franklin University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#5

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of West Florida. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UWF is located in Pensacola, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of West Florida are $24,894, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at The University of West Florida

University of Central Florida ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Central Florida is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 88 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Florida are $28,657.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Central Florida

#7

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State University is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 89 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Florida State

With a ranking of #8, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UT Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Full The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

Florida International University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 27 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 FIU are $24,211.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at FIU

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of South Florida - Main Campus

Top 20% in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 19 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB excels when it comes to criminal justice quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at California State University - Long Beach

#12

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 123 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U also took the #1 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston University are $57,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Boston U Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

Texas A&M International University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Texas A&M International University is located in Laredo, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 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 Texas A&M International University are $15,106.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Texas A&M International University

#14

University of Wisconsin - Platteville

Platteville, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Platteville came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Platteville, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 39 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, UW - Platteville is in the top on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Platteville are $18,226.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Wisconsin - Platteville

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 3 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Stanislaus are $18,540, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Stan State

#16

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

With a ranking of #16, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNT is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Texas Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#17

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNF is a fairly large public school situated in Jacksonville, Florida. It awarded 26 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Florida are $21,930, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of North Florida

#18

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Washington State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Pullman, Washington, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wazzu are $27,561, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Washington State University

#19

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

With a ranking of #19, American Public University System did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Charles Town, West Virginia, this large private for-profit school handed out 121 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

American Military University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at American Public University System are $7,050.

Full American Public University System Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

University of North Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. University of North Texas at Dallas is a public institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas at Dallas are $13,681, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at UNT Dallas

#21

University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Lowell, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts - Lowell came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UMass Lowell is a fairly large school located in Lowell, Massachusetts that handed out 97 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

UMass Lowell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Massachusetts - Lowell are $26,990, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at UMass Lowell

#22

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

With a ranking of #22, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at California State University - San Bernardino

With a ranking of #23, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 20 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at IUPUI

The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a large school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 17 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at The University of Texas at San Antonio

#25

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia

With a ranking of #25, George Washington University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k list, GWU has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at GWU are $31,824, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at George Washington University

Rest of the Best 38 in Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 38 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Columbus State University

Columbus, Georgia
#27

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida
#29

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan
#30

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia
#31

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, Louisiana
#32

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas
#34

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi
#35

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma
#36

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Featured Criminal Justice Administration Schools

Find Schools Near You