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Cheapest Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Pennsylvania

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

Pennsylvania's Criminal Justice and Corrections programs show extreme affordability gaps, with Holy Family University's net price of $12,251 sitting just $500 above Lincoln University's public rate of $12,512. This pricing convergence between private and public options creates unusual opportunities for students entering a field where Pennsylvania employs thousands across state corrections facilities, municipal police departments, and federal agencies like the FBI's Pittsburgh division. East Stroudsburg University graduates earn the highest median salary at $40,652, while York College graduates start at $29,685, reflecting a $10,967 earnings spread across the state's programs. The 20 programs range from Peirce College's modest 5.3% graduation rate to Saint Francis University's strong 72.8% completion rate. Pennsylvania's corrections system, which includes 25 state prisons and numerous county facilities, provides steady employment for graduates who complete these affordable programs.
50
Programs
$12,251 – $30,528
Net Price Range
$34,496
Avg. Program Earnings
57.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,251 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
2 $12,905 $15,060 5.3%
3 $12,912 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
4 $15,089 $11,036 43.8% 93.6%
5 $16,521 $19,964 24.4% 93.2%
6 $16,630 $14,620 43.4% 93.6%
7 $17,034 $14,630 39.6% 97.6%
8 $18,952 $14,646 53.4% 97.4%
9 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
10 $19,279 $19,404 38.9% 34.0%
11 $19,524 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
12 $19,685 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
13 $20,356 $22,171 43.5% 75.6%
14 $20,748 $26,156 55.6% 86.0%
15 $21,043 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
16 $21,205 $11,230 54.1% 96.1%
17 $21,360 $13,920
18 $21,409 $35,570 57.9% 94.3%
19 $21,461 $17,850 41.2% 80.7%
20 $21,972 $33,120 57.7% 97.4%
21 $22,222 $39,570 72.5% 80.8%
22 $22,558 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
23 $22,673 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
24 $22,746 $36,864 43.5% 82.3%
25 $22,870 $29,990 71.4% 97.2%
26 $23,206 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
27 $23,281 $42,600 60.1% 96.0%
28 $23,553 $13,544 51.6% 87.8%
29 $24,449 $17,950 37.7%
30 $24,791 $38,160 59.6% 82.1%
31 $25,157 $29,460 60.5% 75.6%
32 $25,747 $34,940 65.6% 93.8%
33 $25,885 $37,420 56.0% 63.2%
34 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
35 $27,141 $38,310 58.5% 58.4%
36 $27,243 $43,300 52.2% 95.4%
37 $27,263 $44,510 58.7% 80.6%
38 $27,499 $24,510 56.1% 82.4%
39 $27,686 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
40 $28,163 $45,683 68.2% 88.9%
41 $28,329 $42,810 58.5% 59.0%
42 $28,714 $37,300 46.1% 85.5%
43 $29,219 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
44 $29,464 $28,550 64.5% 69.7%
45 $29,577 $32,625 65.2% 81.0%
46 $29,944 $39,410 56.1% 98.2%
47 $30,074 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
48 $30,465 $44,800 71.0% 77.2%
49 $30,470 $53,638 63.5% 87.7%
50 $30,528 $52,309 80.8% 84.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $9,721 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Holy Family University offers the lowest net price at $12,251 despite being a private institution, while Geneva College charges $21,043 after aid. Public schools like Lincoln University ($12,912) and East Stroudsburg ($15,089) fall between these extremes. The variation reflects different institutional aid policies rather than simple public versus private divisions.

How do graduation rates compare between affordable and expensive programs?

Saint Francis University combines a higher net price of $19,173 with the strongest graduation rate at 72.8%. Meanwhile, Peirce College offers the second-lowest cost at $12,905 but graduates only 5.3% of students. East Stroudsburg University balances moderate costs ($15,089) with reasonable completion at 43.8%.

Is the earning potential worth the debt load at these schools?

East Stroudsburg graduates earn $40,652 annually with $23,125 in debt, creating the best earnings-to-debt ratio. York College graduates start at $29,685 with $26,000 in debt, while Mount Aloysius graduates earn $30,119 against similar debt levels. The 2.4-to-1 debt-to-income ratios remain manageable across programs.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program quality in Pennsylvania?

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg accepts 97.6% of applicants yet maintains respectable academics, while Central Penn College accepts only 33.99% but shows a 38.9% graduation rate. Holy Family University balances selectivity at 77.44% acceptance with strong outcomes. High acceptance rates don't necessarily indicate lower standards in criminal justice programs.

Where do the most affordable programs cluster geographically?

Philadelphia houses three of the five cheapest options: Holy Family ($12,251), Peirce College ($12,905), and the broader metro area's accessibility. Rural programs like Lincoln University ($12,912) and East Stroudsburg ($15,089) offer competitive pricing outside urban areas. The University of Pittsburgh system provides affordable options across western Pennsylvania at Bradford, Greensburg, and Johnstown.

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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.