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Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Pennsylvania

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

Holy Family University stands out among Pennsylvania's Criminal Justice and Corrections programs with a net cost of just $12,251, making it the most affordable option in the state. This Philadelphia school demonstrates how private institutions can compete with public universities on price while maintaining decent graduation rates at 60.40%. The earnings gap across Pennsylvania programs spans from $29,685 to $46,087, with Widener University graduates commanding the highest salaries despite the program's $30,470 net cost. Pennsylvania's law enforcement and corrections sectors benefit from the state's major urban centers like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where organizations like the Philadelphia Police Department and Allegheny County Sheriff's Office provide career opportunities. Public universities dominate the lower cost range, with East Stroudsburg offering strong value at $15,089 net cost and $40,652 median earnings. The state's 15 programs show acceptance rates above 77%, indicating good accessibility for students entering this field.
50
Programs
$12,251 – $38,428
Net Price Range
$34,355
Avg. Program Earnings
59.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,251 $33,637 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
2 $15,089 $40,652 $11,036 43.8% 93.6%
3 $12,912 $32,569 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
4 $16,630 $32,925 $14,620 43.4% 93.6%
5 $17,034 $32,925 $14,630 39.6% 97.6%
6 $21,360 $40,448 $13,920
7 $18,952 $32,925 $14,646 53.4% 97.4%
8 $22,673 $38,289 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
9 $21,409 $35,594 $35,570 57.9% 94.3%
10 $21,205 $34,633 $11,230 54.1% 96.1%
11 $21,461 $33,216 $17,850 41.2% 80.7%
12 $21,972 $33,993 $33,120 57.7% 97.4%
13 $23,553 $36,368 $13,544 51.6% 87.8%
14 $30,470 $46,087 $53,638 63.5% 87.7%
15 $22,222 $33,565 $39,570 72.5% 80.8%
16 $19,685 $29,685 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
17 $22,746 $33,993 $36,864 43.5% 82.3%
18 $24,791 $36,488 $38,160 59.6% 82.1%
19 $23,281 $33,993 $42,600 60.1% 96.0%
20 $20,748 $30,119 $26,156 55.6% 86.0%
21 $28,329 $39,832 $42,810 58.5% 59.0%
22 $23,206 $31,853 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
23 $29,944 $37,568 $39,410 56.1% 98.2%
24 $29,219 $35,179 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
25 $27,263 $32,658 $44,510 58.7% 80.6%
26 $29,464 $35,060 $28,550 64.5% 69.7%
27 $28,714 $33,993 $37,300 46.1% 85.5%
28 $25,157 $29,141 $29,460 60.5% 75.6%
29 $27,686 $31,581 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
30 $30,465 $34,526 $44,800 71.0% 77.2%
31 $30,074 $32,925 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
32 $30,528 $33,138 $52,309 80.8% 84.4%
33 $27,141 $28,816 $38,310 58.5% 58.4%
34 $38,428 $29,685 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
35 $27,243 $43,300 52.2% 95.4%
36 $19,279 $19,404 38.9% 34.0%
37 $27,499 $24,510 56.1% 82.4%
38 $28,163 $45,683 68.2% 88.9%
39 $25,747 $34,940 65.6% 93.8%
40 $19,524 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
41 $34,978 $47,146 75.5% 87.5%
42 $22,558 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
43 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
44 $20,356 $22,171 43.5% 75.6%
45 $22,870 $29,990 71.4% 97.2%
46 $25,885 $37,420 56.0% 63.2%
47 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
48 $21,043 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
49 $29,577 $32,625 65.2% 81.0%
50 $12,905 $15,060 5.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Holy Family University such a strong value for Criminal Justice students?

Holy Family University offers the lowest net cost at $12,251 among all Pennsylvania Criminal Justice programs, significantly undercutting most public universities. The school maintains a 60.40% graduation rate and places graduates earning $33,637 annually. With 77.44% acceptance rate, students have reasonable admission chances while accessing Philadelphia's law enforcement job market.

How do public universities compare to private schools for Criminal Justice costs?

Pennsylvania's public Criminal Justice programs range from $12,912 to $23,553 in net costs, while private schools span $12,251 to $30,470. East Stroudsburg University leads public options at $15,089 net cost with strong $40,652 earnings outcomes. However, Holy Family University proves private schools can match public affordability while offering urban internship opportunities.

Which Pennsylvania Criminal Justice programs offer the best earning potential?

Widener University graduates earn the highest salaries at $46,087 annually, followed by Strayer University at $40,448 and East Stroudsburg at $40,652. These top-earning programs show that both private and public institutions can deliver strong career outcomes. The $16,402 earnings gap between highest and lowest programs reflects varying program focus and regional job markets.

Do Pennsylvania Criminal Justice programs have high acceptance rates?

Most Pennsylvania Criminal Justice programs maintain acceptance rates above 80%, with University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg reaching 97.60%. Only Holy Family University and Lincoln University drop below 81%, at 77.44% and 80.61% respectively. This accessibility means qualified students can typically gain admission to multiple programs while comparing costs and outcomes.

Where do Pennsylvania Criminal Justice graduates find employment opportunities?

Pennsylvania's major metropolitan areas provide numerous law enforcement and corrections career paths through agencies like the Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and county sheriff offices. The state's healthcare sector, including UPMC facilities, also employs security professionals with criminal justice backgrounds. Federal opportunities exist through Philadelphia's FBI field office and various federal courthouses 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.