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Cheapest Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Iowa

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

University of Northern Iowa delivers the most affordable Criminal Justice and Corrections education in Iowa at $14,609 net cost, while private schools like Coe College charge $19,155 despite offering similar career preparation. The 17 programs across Iowa show a clear divide between public and private pricing, with Iowa State University following closely at $18,165. Graduates enter a job market strengthened by Iowa's major insurance companies like Principal Financial, which regularly hire compliance officers, fraud investigators, and risk management specialists with criminal justice backgrounds. The state's agricultural economy also creates demand for regulatory enforcement positions, while manufacturing centers need security professionals and workplace safety coordinators.
17
Programs
$14,609 – $25,383
Net Price Range
$34,801
Avg. Program Earnings
54.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,609 $9,728 68.9% 95.0%
2 $15,975 $33,220 38.3% 74.5%
3 $18,165 $10,497 75.5% 90.2%
4 $18,321 $40,190 47.3% 77.3%
5 $19,155 $52,576 59.0%
6 $21,057 $38,298 69.9% 89.8%
7 $21,590 $35,534 49.4%
8 $21,616 $33,450 55.8% 98.4%
9 $21,683 $25,220 29.0% 73.9%
10 $22,115 $28,750 29.2% 57.7%
11 $22,231 $46,212 65.7% 89.1%
12 $22,750 $35,598 62.8% 73.9%
13 $23,169 $38,190 52.8% 70.6%
14 $23,250 $40,065 41.1% 85.1%
15 $23,435 $39,070 55.9% 75.3%
16 $23,519 $35,300 63.6% 87.3%
17 $25,383 $35,960 65.3% 87.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide gap between public and private criminal justice program costs in Iowa?

Public universities like University of Northern Iowa charge $14,609 net cost compared to private schools averaging over $20,000. State funding allows public institutions to offer in-state tuition as low as $9,728 at UNI. Private schools offset higher sticker prices through financial aid, but net costs still run significantly higher.

How do graduation rates vary among Iowa's most affordable criminal justice programs?

University of Northern Iowa achieves a 68.9% graduation rate at the lowest cost point, while Iowa State reaches 75.5% at $18,165 net cost. Several affordable private options show concerning completion rates, with Waldorf University graduating only 29% of students despite charging $21,683. Higher-performing private schools like Loras College maintain 69.9% graduation rates.

Do Iowa criminal justice graduates earn enough to justify program costs?

Early career earnings range from $29,685 to $41,725 among reporting schools, with Grand View University graduates earning the highest at $41,725. University of Northern Iowa provides the best return on investment with strong earning potential relative to its $14,609 cost. Most graduates accumulate debt between $15,000-$27,000, manageable given Iowa's low cost of living.

Where do Iowa criminal justice graduates typically find employment opportunities?

Iowa's insurance sector, led by Principal Financial and other Des Moines companies, hires fraud investigators and compliance specialists. Manufacturing companies like John Deere need security coordinators and safety officers. State and local law enforcement, corrections facilities, and agricultural regulatory agencies provide additional career paths throughout Iowa's 99 counties.

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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.