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Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in North Carolina

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

North Carolina's criminal justice programs show a striking $30,000 earnings gap between the highest and lowest performing schools, with Brevard College graduates earning $38,289 compared to Fayetteville State's $27,995. Elizabeth City State University emerges as the clear value leader with just a $7,237 net price while producing graduates earning $30,771 annually. The state's banking sector in Charlotte and growing healthcare industry create steady demand for criminal justice professionals, particularly in corporate security and regulatory compliance roles. Public universities dominate the affordability market, with eight schools offering net prices below $17,000. However, private institutions like Brevard College justify their higher costs through stronger earnings outcomes. Graduation rates vary significantly across the 15 programs, ranging from Livingstone College's 27% to Appalachian State's 73%. The data reveals that students can access quality criminal justice education at multiple price points, though careful consideration of debt loads and career outcomes remains essential for making the best financial decision.
35
Programs
$7,237 – $40,721
Net Price Range
$31,121
Avg. Program Earnings
46.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

35 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,237 $30,771 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
2 $7,360 $27,995 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
3 $9,918 $32,082 $3,571 44.5% 89.7%
4 $10,980 $31,495 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
5 $12,579 $35,615 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
6 $13,393 $31,708 $6,735 48.6% 73.4%
7 $14,745 $33,993 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
8 $16,514 $36,308 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
9 $16,487 $34,603 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
10 $15,028 $31,514 $6,542 46.0% 84.4%
11 $15,662 $32,711 $18,296 27.1% 63.8%
12 $17,893 $34,259 $25,950 47.5% 74.6%
13 $21,376 $38,289 $31,250 39.0% 39.9%
14 $16,189 $28,366 $27,110 28.5% 86.7%
15 $18,165 $31,133 $35,536 40.4% 68.4%
16 $14,083 $21,703 $17,176 20.2% 61.0%
17 $21,200 $30,926 $41,140 47.7% 83.5%
18 $17,740 $25,774 $16,896 33.2% 58.9%
19 $21,371 $30,771 $40,196 46.8% 86.2%
20 $23,665 $33,281 $35,600 51.5% 94.6%
21 $24,137 $32,245 $33,450 61.7% 75.0%
22 $22,772 $29,685 18.8%
23 $23,991 $28,960 $40,410 55.9% 88.6%
24 $24,978 $29,565 $39,664 40.1% 75.7%
25 $23,613 $26,585 $19,500 46.4% 97.2%
26 $25,765 $28,816 $31,140 44.2% 61.3%
27 $18,835 $32,236 56.3% 87.5%
28 $18,866 $16,000 29.2% 52.0%
29 $21,953 $33,930 42.6% 69.1%
30 $26,328 $33,860 40.6% 68.1%
31 $20,313 $37,270 41.9% 74.2%
32 $23,393 $30,900 51.0% 82.9%
33 $40,721 $44,208 70.0% 78.9%
34 $19,314 $20,400 40.8% 84.3%
35 $18,210 $33,400 52.1% 67.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Elizabeth City State University the best value for criminal justice in North Carolina?

Elizabeth City State combines the state's lowest net price at $7,237 with solid graduate earnings of $30,771, creating an excellent return on investment. The school maintains a reasonable debt load of $19,250 and graduates nearly half of its students at 48.10%. With an acceptance rate of 74.15%, qualified students have strong admission prospects while accessing affordable criminal justice education.

How much do private criminal justice programs cost compared to public options in North Carolina?

Private programs average significantly higher costs, with schools like Brevard College charging $21,376 net price versus public options starting at $7,237. However, Brevard graduates earn the highest salaries at $38,289 annually, potentially justifying the investment. Most public universities offer net prices between $7,000-$17,000, making them accessible to students seeking affordable criminal justice degrees.

Is debt a major concern for criminal justice graduates in North Carolina?

Debt levels vary considerably across programs, from Appalachian State's manageable $18,066 to Chowan University's concerning $37,000. Most graduates carry debt between $19,000-$27,000, which aligns reasonably with starting salaries in the $28,000-$38,000 range. Students should carefully compare debt-to-earnings ratios, as some schools offer better financial outcomes than others.

Does graduation rate matter when choosing a criminal justice program in North Carolina?

Graduation rates range dramatically from 27% at Livingstone College to 73% at Appalachian State University, making this a critical factor in school selection. Higher graduation rates often correlate with better student support services and academic resources. Programs like East Carolina (62.10%) and UNC Charlotte (67.70%) demonstrate that public universities can achieve strong completion rates while maintaining affordability.

Where do North Carolina criminal justice graduates find employment opportunities?

The state's banking center in Charlotte creates demand for fraud investigators and compliance specialists, while the Research Triangle's tech growth opens cybersecurity and corporate investigation roles. Traditional law enforcement remains strong statewide, with the NC Department of Public Safety and local agencies hiring regularly. Healthcare sector expansion also generates opportunities in hospital security and regulatory compliance positions throughout the state.

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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.