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Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Puerto Rico

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

Puerto Rico's Criminal Justice programs span an unusual cost spectrum, from Colegio Universitario de San Juan's $200 net price to Inter American University-San German at $9,034. This 45-fold difference reflects the island's mix of public and private institutions serving future law enforcement professionals. The territory's federal court system and local police departments create steady demand for bilingual criminal justice graduates. Inter American University-Aguadilla leads earnings at $24,035, nearly triple the $9,118 earned by Barranquitas campus graduates. Caribbean University maintains consistent $16,015 earnings across four campuses while keeping costs around $6,000-$7,600. NUC University achieves the highest graduation rate at 56.2% despite being a for-profit institution. The data reveals that private nonprofit schools dominate the field, with 13 of 15 programs falling into this category. Graduation rates vary significantly, from 30.1% at the public option to over 60% at select private institutions.
22
Programs
$200 – $14,072
Net Price Range
$17,246
Avg. Program Earnings
41.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

22 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,607 $24,035 $5,542 38.7% 45.7%
2 $7,559 $23,421 $6,920 31.1%
3 $5,732 $16,811 $8,054 56.2%
4 $7,569 $20,444 $6,920 36.4%
5 $6,310 $16,015 $5,966 62.5%
6 $6,392 $16,015 $5,966 36.7%
7 $8,245 $20,596 $5,580 43.1% 52.8%
8 $6,680 $16,015 $5,966 41.7%
9 $7,635 $16,015 $5,966 44.0%
10 $8,932 $14,759 $5,580 39.4% 47.0%
11 $8,787 $13,702 $5,580 32.9% 44.7%
12 $7,382 $9,118 $5,542 38.4% 67.8%
13 $9,034 $5,580 42.7% 40.1%
14 $200 $2,340 30.1% 98.5%
15 $8,036 $5,580 35.4% 33.3%
16 $8,964 $5,580 31.6% 46.8%
17 $8,783 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
18 $10,082 $6,340 47.9% 94.7%
19 $14,072 $7,986 40.2% 55.4%
20 $8,264 $6,238 42.1% 99.8%
21 $7,668 $6,920 30.2%
22 $10,933 $7,797 69.0% 100.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost difference between Puerto Rico's cheapest and most expensive Criminal Justice programs?

The $200 net price at public Colegio Universitario de San Juan contrasts sharply with private institutions charging $7,000-$9,000 annually. This public option accepts 98.46% of applicants but graduates only 30.1% of students. Private schools offer more structured programs with graduation rates typically 35-45%, justifying higher costs through better completion rates.

How do earnings vary among graduates from different Criminal Justice programs in Puerto Rico?

Graduate earnings range from $9,118 at Inter American-Barranquitas to $24,035 at Inter American-Aguadilla. Caribbean University campuses consistently produce graduates earning $16,015 regardless of location. The top two programs by earnings are both Inter American campuses, with Aguadilla and Mendez-Cupey graduates earning over $23,000 annually.

Is the for-profit Criminal Justice program at NUC University worth considering?

NUC University achieves the highest graduation rate at 56.2% while charging a moderate $5,732 net price. However, graduates earn $16,811 annually while carrying $26,117 in debt, the highest debt load among all programs. Students must weigh the strong completion rate against significant borrowing requirements and middle-tier earnings.

Does location within Puerto Rico affect Criminal Justice program outcomes?

Campus location shows mixed correlation with outcomes. Inter American's Aguadilla campus leads in earnings at $24,035, while its Barranquitas location produces the lowest at $9,118. Caribbean University maintains identical earnings across four different cities, suggesting curriculum consistency matters more than geographic factors. San Juan area schools range widely in both cost and graduate outcomes.

Where can students find the best balance of affordability and career prospects?

Inter American-Ponce offers strong value with $20,596 graduate earnings, $8,245 net cost, and only $5,000 in student debt. Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey provides similar earnings at $23,421 with $7,559 net cost. Both programs significantly outperform the ultra-affordable public option in terms of graduate employment outcomes while maintaining reasonable debt levels.

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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.