2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 89 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
For return on investment in criminal justice studies, no school beat Pima Community College this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $7,562 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $47,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Mainland one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $48,704. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies 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.
Texas A And M International University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $38,668. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $6,084 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $25,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $16,262. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $32,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $13,727. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $36,386. Set against $13,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $18,506. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #9 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $25,923. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,644. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Antonio College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $13,003 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,003 median debt.
Mclennan Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $12,606. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $34,468. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $6,000. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $48,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $17,912. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $31,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Grayson College earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Bend College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies 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 criminal justice studies program here. Median earnings reach $35,086 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,609 median debt.
Odessa College came in at #17 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $9,087. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,425 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $27,638 early in their careers. Set against $7,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico Junior College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the town of Hobbs, New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,440, while out-of-state students pay about $2,280. Students borrow a median of $9,986 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from New Mexico Junior College generally make around $50,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohave Community College placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #21 for value in criminal justice studies this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Howard College landed the #22 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $13,278. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Howard College earn a median of $33,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Salado College landed the #23 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $51,384. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $34,958 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Texas Junior College placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,646, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $5,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southwest Texas Junior College generally make around $41,320. Set against $5,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice studies this year:
Narrow Criminal Justice Studies Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 89 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.
