2027 Best Value Corrections Schools in the Southwest Region
[Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong corrections education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value corrections schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Corrections Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Corrections Schools
Lamar State College Orange earned the #1 spot for value among corrections schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $18,506. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in corrections will find it at San Antonio College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $13,003. Corrections graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $43,712 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Bend College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,916, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the corrections program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,086 ten years after entry. Set against $14,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in corrections will find it at Mclennan Community College, which ranked #4. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $12,606. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $34,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mohave Community College earned it the #5 place for corrections. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,208, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $14,766. Corrections graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $7,425. Early-career corrections graduates make about $39,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District placed #7 among the best values for corrections. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $16,378 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,175. That is a strong return on a $16,378 median debt.
Howard College placed #8 among the best values for corrections. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. Students borrow a median of $13,278 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Howard College earn a median of $41,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,278 median debt.
Rio Salado College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $51,384. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Angelina College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,430, compared with $6,490 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,828 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Angelina College generally make around $50,767. Set against $7,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College earned the #11 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,862. Students borrow a median of $12,302 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Hill College earn a median of $39,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,302 median debt.
Blinn College placed #12 among the best values for corrections. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $14,230. Corrections graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $45,980 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,230 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Phoenix College came in at #14 for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $15,204. Early-career corrections graduates make about $51,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College landed the #15 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Langston University earned the #16 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,863, while out-of-state students pay about $14,616. Students borrow a median of $30,017 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $39,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paradise Valley Community College landed the #17 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $14,204. Corrections graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Set against $14,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #18 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College came in at #19 for value in corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Corrections graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
Scottsdale Community College earned the #20 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $48,039. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
South Mountain Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,825 ten years after entry.
Arizona State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $53,732 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for corrections. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Corrections graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $38,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #24 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Corrections graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $47,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $22,875. Early-career corrections graduates make about $44,085. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
