2027 Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Texas
Criminal Justice Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 schools to find the best for criminal justice studies students.
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Best Schools for Criminal Justice Studies in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall criminal justice studies education in Texas.
Top Schools in Criminal Justice Studies
Texas Christian University tops our 2027 ranking of the best criminal justice studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 95 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $34,556. Students borrow a median of $20,429 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Texas Christian University
University Of North Texas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. About 279 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $47,072 in their early career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $20,538 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of North Texas
Students looking for a strong criminal justice studies program will find one at The University Of Texas At Arlington, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 176 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $49,360 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,908 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at The University Of Texas At Arlington
A rank of #4 makes Texas State University San Marcos one of the top schools for criminal justice studies. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 288 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $41,939. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Texas State University San Marcos
Sam Houston State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 812 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Sam Houston State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Sam Houston State University earn around $44,668 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,218 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Sam Houston State University
Angelo State University earned the #6 position for criminal justice studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Angelo. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Angelo State University awarded about 60 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $35,955 in their early career. Angelo State University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Angelo State University
University Of Houston Downtown placed #7 among the best criminal justice studies schools. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. University Of Houston Downtown graduates 33% of students within six years. There were roughly 261 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Downtown in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $53,630 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,757 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from University Of Houston Downtown
Tarleton State University landed the #8 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Tarleton State University graduates 48% of students within six years. Tarleton State University awarded about 161 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $50,979. Tarleton State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Tarleton State University
Stephen F Austin State University placed #9 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Stephen F Austin State University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $40,308 early in their careers. Stephen F Austin State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Stephen F Austin State University
Central Texas College earned the #10 position for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. About 100 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Central Texas College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $39,465 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,521 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Central Texas College
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #11 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 211 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn around $42,491 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Texas Womans University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 23 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas Womans University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $42,914 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Texas Womans University
Saint Edwards University landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Edwards University awarded about 24 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Saint Edwards University generally make around $36,829. Saint Edwards University graduates carry a median of $24,949 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Saint Edwards University
Houston Baptist University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Houston Baptist University awarded about 16 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $57,088 in their early career. Houston Baptist University graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Houston Baptist University
Tarrant County College District came in at #15 for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Tarrant County College District awarded about 39 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $32,315. Tarrant County College District graduates carry a median of $16,262 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Tarrant County College District
Blinn College earned the #16 position for criminal justice studies this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Blinn College awarded about 39 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $45,980 early in their careers. Blinn College graduates carry a median of $14,230 in student loans.
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Laredo Community College earned the #17 position for criminal justice studies this year. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. About 23 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Laredo Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $48,194 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Laredo Community College
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #18 among the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Tyler. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Tyler awarded about 55 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $36,532 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from The University Of Texas At Tyler
Lone Star College System placed #19 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. There were roughly 144 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Lone Star College System in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Lone Star College System earn around $37,578 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,542 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Lone Star College System
West Texas A And M University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at West Texas A And M University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from West Texas A And M University earn around $37,978 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,365 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at West Texas A And M University
Lamar University placed #21 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. About 37% of students finish within six years. Lamar University awarded about 196 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $51,991 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Lamar University
Mclennan Community College came in at #22 for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. About 57 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Mclennan Community College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $34,468 early in their careers. Mclennan Community College graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Mclennan Community College
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #23 for criminal justice studies this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 52 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Corpus Christi in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn around $37,742 in the first couple years of their career. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #24 position for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At El Paso awarded about 276 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $33,304 in their early career. The University Of Texas At El Paso graduates carry a median of $19,381 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for The University Of Texas At El Paso
Grayson College placed #25 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. About 18 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Grayson College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $42,487 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,627.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Grayson College
Rest of the Top 49 Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong criminal justice studies education:
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
View All Criminal Justice Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 49 schools evaluated.
- 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.
