Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Iowa

University of Northern Iowa delivers the state's most affordable Criminal Justice and Corrections education at $14,609 net cost, while Grand View University graduates earn $41,725 annually despite higher costs reaching $21,616. This $12,040 earnings gap between top and bottom performers reflects varying program focus and career preparation approaches across Iowa's 17 options. The state's insurance industry, anchored by Principal Financial, creates steady demand for fraud investigators and compliance specialists, while agricultural companies like John Deere require security and loss prevention professionals. Iowa State University combines reasonable $18,165 costs with strong 75.50% graduation rates, making it attractive for budget-conscious students. Private institutions dominate the market, with 13 of 17 schools charging net costs between $18,000-$25,000 annually.

Programs

$14,609 – $25,383

Net Price Range

$34,801

Avg. Program Earnings

54.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Grand View University Des Moines, Iowa	$21,616	$41,725	$33,450	55.8%	98.4%
2	Buena Vista University Storm Lake, Iowa	$18,321	$35,060	$40,190	47.3%	77.3%
3	Simpson College Indianola, Iowa	$22,231	$36,668	$46,212	65.7%	89.1%
4	University of Dubuque Dubuque, Iowa	$23,250	$35,701	$40,065	41.1%	85.1%
5	Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids, Iowa	$23,435	$33,637	$39,070	55.9%	75.3%
6	Loras College Dubuque, Iowa	$21,057	$29,685	$38,298	69.9%	89.8%
7	Saint Ambrose University Davenport, Iowa	$22,750	$31,133	$35,598	62.8%	73.9%
8	Graceland University-Lamoni Lamoni, Iowa	$15,975		$33,220	38.3%	74.5%
9	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$18,165		$10,497	75.5%	90.2%
10	Briar Cliff University Sioux City, Iowa	$21,590		$35,534	49.4%
11	Morningside University Sioux City, Iowa	$23,169		$38,190	52.8%	70.6%
12	Dordt University Sioux Center, Iowa	$25,383		$35,960	65.3%	87.7%
13	University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, Iowa	$14,609		$9,728	68.9%	95.0%
14	Northwestern College Orange City, Iowa	$23,519		$35,300	63.6%	87.3%
15	Coe College Cedar Rapids, Iowa	$19,155		$52,576	59.0%
16	Waldorf University Forest City, Iowa	$21,683		$25,220	29.0%	73.9%
17	William Penn University Oskaloosa, Iowa	$22,115		$28,750	29.2%	57.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $27,116 difference between the highest and lowest net costs?

Public universities University of Northern Iowa ($14,609) and Iowa State University ($18,165) leverage state funding to offer significantly lower costs than private institutions. Dordt University tops private school costs at $25,383, while even the most affordable private option, Graceland University, charges $15,975. Most private colleges cluster between $20,000-$24,000 annually, reflecting similar operational expenses and limited endowment support compared to state-funded alternatives.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Iowa?

Iowa State University achieves the highest graduation rate at 75.50% while maintaining moderate $18,165 costs, proving affordability doesn't compromise completion. Loras College graduates 69.90% of students despite charging $21,057, while University of Dubuque struggles with just 41.10% completion rates at $23,250 costs. Simpson College balances strong 65.70% graduation rates with higher $22,231 expenses, suggesting institutional support matters more than price alone.

Does Iowa's job market support Criminal Justice graduates effectively?

Grand View University graduates earn $41,725 annually, indicating strong local demand for well-prepared professionals in Des Moines's insurance and finance sectors. However, Loras College graduates start at just $29,685 despite similar program costs, highlighting regional employment variations. Iowa's agricultural economy creates opportunities in corporate security and regulatory compliance, while the state's low cost of living helps stretch entry-level salaries further than coastal markets.

Which schools offer the best return on educational investment?

Grand View University provides the strongest earnings potential at $41,725 for graduates, justifying its $21,616 net cost through superior job placement and career services. Iowa State University offers excellent value with solid graduation rates and reasonable costs, though earnings data wasn't available. University of Northern Iowa's $14,609 cost makes it accessible, but students should research career outcomes carefully since earnings information isn't provided for this affordable option.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.