Skip to main content

Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Missouri

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

College of the Ozarks stands out among Missouri's criminal justice programs with a net price of just $7,669, making it the most affordable option despite being a private institution. This creates an unusual changing where the cheapest program comes from a private school rather than the public universities that typically dominate value rankings. Earnings for criminal justice graduates across Missouri's 20 programs range from $26,121 to $38,391, with Truman State University delivering the highest return at $36,668 annually. The state's defense and healthcare sectors, including major employers like Cerner and BJC HealthCare, provide career paths for graduates in corporate security, compliance, and investigation roles. Graduation rates vary dramatically, from Lincoln University's 22.1% to Truman State's 68.4%, suggesting that program structure and support systems differ significantly across institutions. Students benefit from Missouri's A+ Scholarship program, which covers community college costs and can serve as a pathway to four-year criminal justice degrees.
26
Programs
$7,669 – $27,075
Net Price Range
$32,624
Avg. Program Earnings
49.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

26 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,669 $29,685 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
2 $12,030 $36,668 $9,470 68.4% 45.1%
3 $11,653 $33,543 $8,400 38.3% 99.5%
4 $12,638 $33,993 $9,800 39.8%
5 $12,837 $32,569 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
6 $15,529 $35,274 $16,400 30.0%
7 $14,532 $32,925 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
8 $15,336 $34,364 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
9 $13,375 $29,685 $8,044 32.1%
10 $13,459 $29,685 $6,442 27.4%
11 $12,484 $26,121 $9,290 22.1%
12 $14,774 $28,598 $6,960 100.0%
13 $17,945 $33,459 $23,000 24.5% 61.2%
14 $21,082 $35,060 $28,320 51.2% 99.6%
15 $18,516 $30,590 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
16 $21,123 $34,526 $26,880 44.3% 67.1%
17 $24,051 $38,391 $24,326 45.7%
18 $22,080 $31,305 $29,915 50.2% 97.0%
19 $27,075 $38,289 $53,244 79.8% 84.7%
20 $21,523 $29,685 $35,235 66.0% 63.4%
21 $25,807 $34,704 $33,122 48.2% 70.9%
22 $25,477 $28,598 $27,140 52.5% 97.9%
23 $23,165 $43,420 75.6% 66.5%
24 $18,705 $27,192 64.8% 67.9%
25 $26,111 $34,188 57.5% 75.3%
26 $22,270 $28,860 57.0% 61.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks such an affordable option for criminal justice students?

College of the Ozarks charges a net price of only $7,669, despite being a private nonprofit institution with a published tuition of $21,290. The school's work-study program requires students to work on campus to help cover educational costs. This model makes it more affordable than most public universities in Missouri, where net prices typically range from $11,653 to $15,336.

How do public university costs compare to earnings potential in Missouri?

Missouri's public universities charge between $8,400 and $11,988 in annual tuition for criminal justice programs. Truman State University offers the best return with graduates earning $36,668 annually after paying just $9,470 in tuition. Missouri Southern State University provides the lowest tuition at $8,400, though graduates earn $33,543. The earnings-to-cost ratio favors these public institutions over most private alternatives.

Is there a significant difference in graduation rates between schools?

Graduation rates vary dramatically across Missouri's criminal justice programs, from a low of 22.1% at Lincoln University to a high of 68.4% at Truman State University. College of the Ozarks maintains a strong 61.3% graduation rate despite its unique work-study model. Most programs fall between 30% and 55%, suggesting that institutional support and program structure significantly impact student success rates.

Does attending a more expensive program guarantee higher earnings?

Higher tuition doesn't necessarily translate to better earnings in Missouri's criminal justice field. College of the Ozarks, with the lowest net price at $7,669, produces graduates earning $29,685. Meanwhile, Southwest Baptist University charges $28,320 in tuition but graduates earn only slightly more at $35,060. Truman State University offers both reasonable costs at $9,470 and the highest earnings at $36,668.

Where do criminal justice graduates find employment in Missouri's job market?

Missouri's criminal justice graduates benefit from the state's healthcare and defense sectors, with employers like Cerner offering corporate security positions and BJC HealthCare providing compliance roles. Government agencies at state and local levels hire for corrections, law enforcement, and court services. The state's agricultural industry also creates opportunities in regulatory enforcement and investigation. Starting salaries across these sectors typically range from $26,000 to $38,000 annually.

More Criminal Justice and Corrections Rankings

Cheapest Criminal Justice and Corrections in Missouri Criminal Justice and Corrections Under $20,000 in Missouri

Related

All Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs Best Colleges in Missouri Best Criminal Justice and Corrections in Missouri

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