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2022 Best Value Colleges for Criminal Justice (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

33 Ranked Colleges
3,438 Degrees Awarded
$12,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Criminal Justice is the 32nd most popular major in the country with 33,568 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Southwest region, there were 3,438 criminal justice graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 33 colleges that offer a degree in criminal justice. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent criminal justice programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the criminal justice program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Criminal Justice (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school handed out 435 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $2,993 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Rio Grande Valley.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A & M University - Central Texas landed the #2 spot on the list. Texas A & M University - Central Texas is a public institution located in Killeen, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A & M University - Central Texas did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Texas A & M University - Central Texas

#3

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Amarillo College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Amarillo, Texas, this medium-sized public school awarded 52 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Amarillo College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Amarillo College is $4,740 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Amarillo College

#4

South Plains College

Levelland, Texas

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, South Plains College landed the #4 spot on the list. South Plains College is located in Levelland, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 46 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

South Plains College also made our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend South Plains College is $6,211 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at South Plains College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas A&M International University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Laredo, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas A&M International University has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M International University is $2,261 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Texas A&M International University

#6

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Central New Mexico Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. CNM is a public institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school has a large population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for CNM is $2,604 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full CNM Criminal Justice Report

#7

Northern Oklahoma College

Tonkawa, Oklahoma

Northern Oklahoma College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Oklahoma College is located in Tonkawa, Oklahoma and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 34 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Northern Oklahoma College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Oklahoma College is $6,155 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Northern Oklahoma College

#8

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Northeastern State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tahlequah, Oklahoma is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 124 students in 2019-2020.

NSU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northeastern State University is $7,614 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at NSU

#9

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

With a ranking of #9, Sam Houston State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SHSU is a public institution located in Huntsville, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SHSU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sam Houston State University is $10,561 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SHSU Criminal Justice Report

University of Phoenix - Arizona ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large private for-profit school awarded 1,036 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UOPX - Arizona, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Phoenix - Arizona is $12,601 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at UOPX - Arizona

#11

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Arizona State University - Skysong is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 420 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

ASU - Skysong also made our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Skysong is $12,037 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Arizona State University - Skysong

#11

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma

East Central University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. ECU is located in Ada, Oklahoma and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

ECU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $7,787 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend East Central University.

Full ECU Criminal Justice Report

#12

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas State University is a large public school situated in San Marcos, Texas. It awarded 24 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $11,125 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas State University.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Texas State University

University of Central Oklahoma did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Edmond, Oklahoma is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 34 students in 2019-2020.

UCO also made our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $12,297 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCO.

Full UCO Criminal Justice Report

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this large public school awarded 58 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also took the #2 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is $16,675 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Oklahoma Criminal Justice Report

#15

Arizona Western College

Yuma, Arizona

Arizona Western College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Yuma, Arizona, this medium-sized public school awarded 62 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,734 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend AWC.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Arizona Western College

With a ranking of #16, University of Phoenix - Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UOPX - Texas is located in Houston, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

UOPX - Texas also took the #22 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Phoenix - Texas is $12,237 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at UOPX - Texas

#17

Rogers State University

Claremore, Oklahoma

With a ranking of #17, Rogers State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. RSU is a public institution located in Claremore, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, RSU has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend RSU is $13,938 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at RSU

#18

St. Mary's University

San Antonio, Texas

With a ranking of #18, St. Mary’s University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, St. Mary’s has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Mary’s University is $15,338 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at St. Mary’s

#19

Wiley College

Marshall, Texas

Wiley College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Marshall, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $17,708 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wiley College.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Wiley College

#20

Mid-America Christian University

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Mid-America Christian University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

MACU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mid-America Christian University is $21,099 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Mid-America Christian University

#21

Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, Texas

Wayland Baptist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Plainview, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 105 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Wayland Baptist University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $22,450 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wayland Baptist University.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Wayland Baptist University

#22

Texas Southern University

Houston, Texas

Texas Southern University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Texas Southern University is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Texas Southern University is $19,390 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at TSU

#23

University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, Texas

University of the Incarnate Word came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIW has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $21,597 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIW.

Full UIW Criminal Justice Report

Lubbock Christian University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. LCU is located in Lubbock, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

LCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lubbock Christian University is $21,361 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full LCU Criminal Justice Report

#25

Texas College

Tyler, Texas

Texas College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. TC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Tyler, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend TC is $14,677 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Texas College Criminal Justice Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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