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2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

23 Ranked Colleges
511 Degrees Awarded
$14,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 113,581 criminal justice and corrections students received their degree, making the major the 6th most popular in the country. 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.

Across the Plains States region, there were 6,120 criminal justice and corrections graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,044 and $27,500 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 511 criminal justice and corrections graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered a degree in criminal justice and corrections. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality criminal justice and corrections programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice & Corrections (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Saint Paul landed the #1 spot on the list. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 21 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Saint Paul also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Saint Paul are $8,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Concordia University, Saint Paul

#2

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Saint Cloud State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 9 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Cloud State University are $12,904, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Saint Cloud State University

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #3 spot on the list. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 1 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #3 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska at Omaha. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UNOMAHA is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#5

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bellevue University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Bellevue University is a fairly large school located in Bellevue, Nebraska that handed out 36 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Bellevue University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bellevue University are $11,385, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Bellevue University

#7 in overall quality

North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 1 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Dakota State University are $11,589, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at North Dakota State University

#7

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#1 in overall quality

Saint Louis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. SLU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $48-$75k list, SLU has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SLU are $22,074.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Saint Louis University

#8

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $48-$75k list, Southeast Missouri State University has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southeast Missouri State University are $10,792.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Southeast Missouri State University

#9

Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa

With a ranking of #9, Simpson College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Indianola, Iowa. It awarded 9 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree criminal justice students whose families make $48-$75k list, Simpson College has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Simpson College are $8,868.

Full Simpson College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#19 in overall quality

Missouri Southern State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Missouri Southern State University is a public institution located in Joplin, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri Southern, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri Southern State University are $6,300.

Full Missouri Southern State University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#11

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Capella University is a large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 79 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Capella University also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Capella University

#12

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Warrensburg, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

UCM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCM are $16,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at UCM

#13

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#18 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 8 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

UMKC also took the #18 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMKC are $26,699, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#14

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 17 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

WSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Wichita State University

#15

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#20 in overall quality

Metropolitan State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Metropolitan State University is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Metro State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Metro State are $17,552.

Full Metropolitan State University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#16

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Washburn University is a medium-sized school located in Topeka, Kansas that handed out 4 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Washburn University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Washburn University are $19,206.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Washburn University

#17

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#10 in overall quality

Webster University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s criminal justice degrees to 37 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Webster, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Webster are $13,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Webster University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#18

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mount Mercy University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified masters’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Mount Mercy also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mount Mercy University are $10,870, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Mount Mercy University Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#19

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UST MN is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UST MN also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at UST MN are $24,814, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at UST MN

#20

Southwestern College

Winfield, Kansas
#11 in overall quality

Southwestern College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. SC is located in Winfield, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

SC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southwestern College are $12,174, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SC Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#21

Missouri Baptist University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Missouri Baptist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. MBU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 5 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MBU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri Baptist University are $10,256.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at MBU

#22

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa

Saint Ambrose University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Davenport, Iowa, and it awarded 14 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Ambrose University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Ambrose University are $18,150, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Saint Ambrose University

#23

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. Columbia College is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 25 masters’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia College Missouri also took the #21 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia College Missouri are $8,584.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Columbia College

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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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