Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Virginia

Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in Virginia show striking cost variations, with net prices spanning from $11,180 at UVA's College at Wise to $25,153 at Marymount University. The earnings gap proves equally telling, ranging from $28,816 for Virginia State graduates to $49,019 for Marymount alumni. Virginia's proximity to federal agencies and defense contractors creates unique career pathways for criminal justice graduates, with organizations like Northrop Grumman and Booz Allen Hamilton offering security and investigative roles. George Mason University stands out with 90% acceptance rates yet produces graduates earning $43,143 annually. Public institutions dominate the lower cost tier, with four schools offering net prices under $20,000. Private colleges command higher tuition but deliver mixed results on graduate earnings. The VTAG grant system helps offset costs at private institutions, though debt levels vary significantly across programs. Virginia's criminal justice job market benefits from the state's role in national security operations.

Programs

$11,180 – $33,417

Net Price Range

$35,635

Avg. Program Earnings

53.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Virginia's College at Wise Wise, Virginia	$11,180	$34,171	$11,656	49.8%	75.6%
2	George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia	$18,287	$43,143	$13,815	69.3%	90.0%
3	Radford University Radford, Virginia	$16,640	$35,449	$12,286	49.6%	93.3%
4	Virginia State University Petersburg, Virginia	$14,553	$28,816	$9,755	40.7%	89.7%
5	Marymount University Arlington, Virginia	$25,153	$49,019	$39,050	57.9%	81.4%
6	Regent University Virginia Beach, Virginia	$18,749	$36,042	$20,686	54.1%	32.3%
7	Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia	$19,452	$35,311	$16,458	65.4%	91.0%
8	Longwood University Farmville, Virginia	$20,814	$34,321	$15,200	61.6%	87.8%
9	Averett University Danville, Virginia	$23,262	$38,289	$38,550	43.6%	76.0%
10	ECPI University Virginia Beach, Virginia	$20,473	$33,313	$18,484	44.7%	82.7%
11	Bluefield University Bluefield, Virginia	$22,198	$35,600	$29,696	27.1%	63.0%
12	DeVry University-Virginia Arlington, Virginia	$22,341	$34,650	$17,488	100.0%	33.3%
13	Ferrum College Ferrum, Virginia	$22,085	$33,993	$38,320	28.9%	84.3%
14	Virginia Wesleyan University Virginia Beach, Virginia	$20,583	$29,685	$36,960	49.1%	81.4%
15	South University-Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, Virginia	$24,372	$34,420	$18,238	13.6%
16	Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia	$29,552	$40,970	$21,222	63.5%	99.3%
17	South University-Richmond Glen Allen, Virginia	$26,205	$34,420	$18,238	20.7%
18	Shenandoah University Winchester, Virginia	$30,055	$35,772	$36,028	70.5%	80.4%
19	Hampton University Hampton, Virginia	$32,145	$29,685	$29,162	55.7%	74.5%
20	Roanoke College Salem, Virginia	$27,786		$36,774	65.9%	79.8%
21	University of Richmond University of Richmond, Virginia	$33,417		$62,600	87.8%	24.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UVA's College at Wise the most affordable option?

UVA's College at Wise offers the lowest net price at $11,180 with in-state tuition of just $11,656. Graduates earn $34,171 annually while carrying $19,313 in debt. The 49.80% graduation rate reflects the challenges of serving rural Appalachian Virginia, but the cost structure makes it accessible for first-generation college students.

How do private college earnings compare to public universities?

Marymount University leads all schools with graduates earning $49,019 annually, justifying its $25,153 net cost. However, public George Mason University produces graduates earning $43,143 at nearly half the price. Private institutions show wide variation, with some like Virginia Wesleyan producing graduates earning only $29,685 despite charging $20,583 annually.

Is the debt load manageable for Virginia criminal justice graduates?

Debt levels range from $17,750 at George Mason to $46,957 at DeVry University-Virginia. Most programs keep debt under $25,000, making monthly payments reasonable for typical starting salaries. Virginia State University graduates face higher debt at $28,375 relative to their $28,816 earnings, creating potential repayment challenges.

Does George Mason University offer the best value overall?

George Mason combines strong earnings of $43,143 with moderate costs at $18,287 net price. The 90% acceptance rate makes admission accessible while maintaining a solid 69.30% graduation rate. Located in Northern Virginia's government corridor, students benefit from internship opportunities with federal agencies and defense contractors throughout their studies.

Where do graduation rates impact program value most significantly?

DeVry University-Virginia reports a misleading 100% graduation rate due to small sample size, while Bluefield University's 27.10% rate raises concerns about program completion. Ferrum College's 28.90% graduation rate undermines its value proposition despite reasonable costs. Schools with rates above 60% like George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth generally provide better return on investment.

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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.