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Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Massachusetts

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Massachusetts state universities deliver remarkable value in criminal justice education, with Worcester State leading at just $14,738 net cost while producing graduates earning $40,501 annually. The 20 programs across the state show a clear divide between affordable public options averaging around $18,000 and private colleges reaching $39,324. This advantage reflects Massachusetts' position as a law enforcement center, home to major federal agencies, state police headquarters, and the nation's oldest parole system dating to 1837. Public universities dominate the value equation, with UMass-Lowell achieving a 70.1% graduation rate alongside reasonable costs. The state's concentration of correctional facilities, courts, and security firms creates steady demand for trained professionals, while programs like Anna Maria College demonstrate that higher costs can translate to top earnings of $44,971 for graduates willing to invest.
25
Programs
$14,738 – $39,866
Net Price Range
$38,485
Avg. Program Earnings
60.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

25 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,738 $40,501 $11,286 55.5% 87.7%
2 $15,432 $38,048 $11,046 52.7% 86.1%
3 $18,282 $42,025 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%
4 $18,561 $42,123 $11,882 54.9% 81.5%
5 $18,627 $40,355 $16,570 70.1% 86.0%
6 $17,970 $38,412 $11,389 54.6% 87.7%
7 $18,441 $36,282 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
8 $29,396 $44,971 $43,064 40.4% 69.6%
9 $25,702 $38,289 $35,013 28.4% 74.2%
10 $25,299 $36,745 $42,970 42.3% 89.4%
11 $32,116 $42,363 $63,141 90.4% 6.8%
12 $29,504 $38,018 $46,220 48.3% 87.5%
13 $31,065 $39,729 $40,375 63.6% 84.9%
14 $29,187 $36,141 $43,707 67.6% 75.6%
15 $39,324 $36,560 $39,212 75.4% 73.3%
16 $37,899 $25,194 $51,786 72.1% 74.6%
17 $28,853 $49,414 74.6% 82.3%
18 $30,236 $44,960 43.2% 76.0%
19 $39,866 $67,680 91.0% 16.7%
20 $31,170 $46,430 63.9% 88.0%
21 $30,031 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
22 $26,996 $65,168 90.0% 14.4%
23 $21,436 $42,061 64.7% 90.9%
24 $27,711 $55,160 77.1% 50.3%
25 $17,733 $28,610 35.3% 61.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Worcester State University stand out among Massachusetts criminal justice programs?

Worcester State offers the lowest net cost at $14,738 while maintaining solid graduate outcomes with earnings of $40,501 annually. The university achieves a 55.5% graduation rate with an 87.7% acceptance rate, making it accessible to most applicants. Students graduate with manageable debt of $21,050, well below the state average for criminal justice programs.

How do public and private criminal justice programs compare financially in Massachusetts?

Public universities average around $18,000 in net costs compared to private colleges ranging from $25,000 to $39,000. However, Anna Maria College justifies its $29,396 cost with the highest graduate earnings at $44,971. Public options like UMass-Boston and Westfield State deliver strong earnings above $42,000 while keeping costs reasonable.

Is Northeastern University worth the premium price for criminal justice students?

Northeastern commands $32,116 in net costs but delivers a 90.4% graduation rate, the highest among all programs. Graduates earn $42,363 annually with relatively low debt of $20,889. The university's selective 6.8% acceptance rate reflects its competitive co-op program connecting students directly with law enforcement agencies.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Massachusetts criminal justice schools?

Not necessarily, as UMass-Lowell achieves the second-highest graduation rate at 70.1% while maintaining moderate costs of $18,627. Fisher College charges $25,702 but graduates only 28.4% of students. The data suggests institutional support matters more than tuition levels for student success in these programs.

Where do Massachusetts criminal justice graduates find the best employment opportunities?

The Boston metropolitan area hosts numerous federal agencies including the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service, creating premium job opportunities. State corrections employs over 8,000 workers across 16 facilities, while municipal police departments throughout the state's 351 cities and towns provide steady entry-level positions. Court systems and private security firms add thousands more career paths for program graduates.

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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.