2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in Texas
[Criminal Justice & Police Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-and-police-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice & police science schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & police science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
College Of The Mainland tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools in Texas. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,928. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $48,704. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $6,250 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $6,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes South Texas College one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $37,432 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #4 spot this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $6,084 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $25,846. That is a strong return on a $6,084 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & police science will find it at The University Of Texas At Brownsville, which ranked #5. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $25,923. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $15,500. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $38,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Tarrant County College District came in at #7 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $16,262. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $32,315. That is a strong return on a $16,262 median debt.
Midland College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $13,003. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $43,712. That is a strong return on a $13,003 median debt.
Amarillo College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $16,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $42,434. Set against $16,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $8,753 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $55,919. That is a strong return on a $8,753 median debt.
Coastal Bend College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,916, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $14,609. 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.
Brazosport College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $34,468. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $13,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $56,454. Set against $13,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $48,194. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Grayson College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $9,087. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $16,378 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Howard College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. In-state tuition and fees average $2,766, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,278 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $33,724. Set against $13,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vernon College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,720, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,513. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Vernon College earn a median of $45,097 early in their careers. Set against $12,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $9,291 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $49,987. That is a strong return on a $9,291 median debt.
Southwest Texas Junior College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Uvalde. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,646, while out-of-state students pay about $6,294. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $5,125. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $41,320. That is a strong return on a $5,125 median debt.
Hill College came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,862. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $12,302. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Hill College generally make around $39,212. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiley College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the town of Marshall, Wiley College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,500 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $37,457 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Wiley College generally make around $32,743. That is a strong return on a $37,457 median debt.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & police science this year:
More Criminal Justice & Police Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
