Cheapest Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Connecticut

Charter Oak State College offers Connecticut's most affordable Criminal Justice path at $15,663 net cost, nearly $30,000 less than Sacred Heart University's $45,459 price tag. This dramatic cost spread reflects Connecticut's mix of public institutions and private colleges serving students bound for careers in law enforcement, corrections, and security. The state's insurance capital status and major employers like United Technologies create steady demand for criminal justice graduates, with earnings ranging from $26,224 to $39,648 across the 13 programs available.

Programs

$15,663 – $45,459

Net Price Range

$33,186

Avg. Program Earnings

55.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Charter Oak State College New Britain, Connecticut	$15,663	$8,506
2	Central Connecticut State University New Britain, Connecticut	$16,435	$12,460	49.3%	76.7%
3	Western Connecticut State University Danbury, Connecticut	$18,617	$12,763	50.2%	83.5%
4	Post University Waterbury, Connecticut	$19,196	$17,100	35.3%
5	University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, Connecticut	$24,786	$35,760	48.1%	81.5%
6	University of Saint Joseph West Hartford, Connecticut	$27,375	$45,908	69.7%	74.9%
7	Goodwin University East Hartford, Connecticut	$28,544	$21,198	58.3%
8	University of Hartford West Hartford, Connecticut	$29,558	$47,647	58.3%	82.8%
9	Mitchell College New London, Connecticut	$30,841	$39,050	44.1%	76.8%
10	Albertus Magnus College New Haven, Connecticut	$32,681	$39,924	46.1%	80.5%
11	University of New Haven West Haven, Connecticut	$34,089	$45,730	59.2%	91.2%
12	Quinnipiac University Hamden, Connecticut	$39,207	$53,090	77.3%	83.8%
13	Sacred Heart University Fairfield, Connecticut	$45,459	$48,460	74.5%	65.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Charter Oak State College so much cheaper than other Connecticut criminal justice programs?

Charter Oak State College operates as a public institution with a $15,663 net cost and $8,506 in-state tuition, making it Connecticut's most affordable option. This competency-based college focuses on adult learners and offers flexible degree completion programs that keep costs significantly below private alternatives.

How do graduation rates compare between affordable and expensive criminal justice programs in Connecticut?

Higher-priced programs often deliver better completion rates, with Sacred Heart University achieving 74.5% graduation despite its $45,459 cost. However, affordable options like Western Connecticut State University still maintain solid 50.2% graduation rates at just $18,617 net cost.

Is Post University a good value for criminal justice students despite being for-profit?

Post University charges $19,196 net cost while producing graduates earning $37,208 annually, creating a strong return on investment. The 35.3% graduation rate lags behind nonprofit competitors, but the earnings potential ranks among Connecticut's top criminal justice programs.

Where do Connecticut criminal justice graduates typically work after completing their degrees?

Connecticut's criminal justice graduates find opportunities across state and local law enforcement, corrections facilities, and private security firms serving the insurance industry. The state's concentration of financial services companies in Hartford creates additional demand for compliance and investigative roles beyond traditional policing careers.

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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.