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Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in New Jersey

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

New Jersey's Criminal Justice and Corrections programs show dramatic cost variations, with net prices spanning from $11,732 at New Jersey City University to $28,921 at Seton Hall University. The College of New Jersey graduates earn the highest median salary at $38,829, while its 85.20% graduation rate leads the state. Students benefit from proximity to major metropolitan areas where federal agencies, state corrections facilities, and municipal police departments actively recruit. Public universities dominate the value equation, with eight of the top ten most affordable programs coming from state institutions. The state's location between New York City and Philadelphia creates abundant internship opportunities with agencies like the Port Authority Police and federal law enforcement offices.
19
Programs
$11,732 – $41,315
Net Price Range
$33,140
Avg. Program Earnings
59.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,168 $36,248 $13,426 43.4% 82.6%
2 $11,732 $32,213 $13,971 38.7% 90.1%
3 $12,973 $29,685 $41,054 63.1% 88.8%
4 $15,266 $34,847 $35,822 61.7% 84.1%
5 $17,764 $34,793 $15,150 47.7% 91.5%
6 $19,037 $36,848 $37,732 56.6% 96.5%
7 $21,188 $37,568 $39,450 58.7% 66.4%
8 $18,803 $32,925 $17,079 66.4% 76.5%
9 $19,407 $32,925 $16,586 67.6% 73.9%
10 $25,458 $38,829 $18,685 85.2% 64.4%
11 $22,185 $33,726 $15,700 68.3% 76.9%
12 $20,549 $30,119 $28,600 44.8%
13 $23,519 $32,925 $17,239 85.0% 66.3%
14 $28,921 $32,711 $51,370 71.5% 75.1%
15 $25,287 $26,353 $38,900 63.3% 84.1%
16 $31,650 $30,988 $44,850 70.3% 90.9%
17 $41,315 $29,685 $37,830 49.7% 89.2%
18 $20,218 $37,110 55.1% 75.8%
19 $17,949 $35,942 40.2% 71.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide gap between public and private criminal justice program costs in New Jersey?

Public universities like Kean University and New Jersey City University charge net prices around $12,000, while private institutions like Seton Hall reach $28,921. State funding allows public schools to offer significantly lower tuition rates for in-state students. Private universities often provide more personalized attention and smaller class sizes, but the cost difference can exceed $15,000 annually.

How do graduation rates vary among New Jersey's criminal justice programs?

The College of New Jersey leads with an 85.20% graduation rate, followed closely by Rutgers New Brunswick at 85.00%. Several private institutions like Saint Peter's University achieve 63.10% graduation rates despite higher costs. Public universities show mixed results, with some like New Jersey City University graduating only 38.70% of students within six years.

Is the higher debt at private schools justified by better earnings outcomes?

Not necessarily in criminal justice fields. Caldwell University graduates earn $37,568 but carry $27,000 in debt, while Rutgers graduates earn comparable salaries of $32,925 with just $19,750 in debt. The College of New Jersey offers the best combination with $38,829 earnings and only $19,500 in debt. Private school premiums rarely translate to significantly higher starting salaries in law enforcement careers.

Where do New Jersey criminal justice graduates typically find employment?

The state's location creates access to federal agencies in New York and Washington D.C., plus extensive state and local opportunities. New Jersey operates 13 state prisons and numerous county jails requiring corrections officers and administrators. Municipal police departments across 565 municipalities provide steady employment, while proximity to major ports offers careers with customs and border protection agencies.

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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.