Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

32 Ranked Colleges
3,438 Degrees Awarded
$13,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 33,568 people earned their degree in criminal justice, making the major the 32nd most popular in the United States.

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 $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 32 colleges that offer a degree in criminal justice. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great criminal justice programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the criminal justice program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Criminal Justice Schools

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 $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Criminal Justice (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UT Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 435 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Rio Grande Valley has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $3,473 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

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

#2

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Amarillo College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Amarillo College is located in Amarillo, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 52 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Amarillo College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $5,506 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Amarillo College.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Amarillo College

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M International University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized public school situated in Laredo, Texas. It awarded 23 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k list, Texas A&M International University has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $2,298 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas A&M International University.

Full Texas A&M International University Criminal Justice Report

#4

South Plains College

Levelland, Texas

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, South Plains College landed the #4 spot on the list. South Plains College is a public institution located in Levelland, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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 $7,419 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at South Plains College

#5

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central New Mexico Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Albuquerque, New Mexico is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Central New Mexico Community College is $3,626 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Central New Mexico Community College Criminal Justice Report

#6

Northern Oklahoma College

Tonkawa, Oklahoma

With a ranking of #6, Northern Oklahoma College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, this small public school awarded 34 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Northern Oklahoma College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $6,798 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northern Oklahoma College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Northern Oklahoma College

#7

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Northeastern State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northeastern State University is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 124 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k list, NSU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NSU is $7,543 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full NSU Criminal Justice Report

#8

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

With a ranking of #8, Sam Houston State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Huntsville, Texas, this large public school awarded 48 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k list, SHSU has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sam Houston State University is $11,634 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at SHSU

With a ranking of #9, University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large private for-profit school handed out 1,036 diplomas to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

UOPX - Arizona also made our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona is $13,378 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UOPX - Arizona Criminal Justice Report

#10

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Scottsdale, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 420 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Skysong, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Skysong is $12,020 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Arizona State University - Skysong Criminal Justice Report

#10

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma

East Central University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. ECU is a small public school situated in Ada, Oklahoma. It awarded 18 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

ECU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend ECU is $8,259 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full ECU Criminal Justice Report

#11

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Texas State University is located in San Marcos, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 ’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

Texas State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,292 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas State.

Full Texas State University Criminal Justice Report

With a ranking of #12, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this large public school awarded 58 diplomas 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 estimated yearly cost for University of Oklahoma is $17,285 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national 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.

Read more about Criminal Justice at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

University of Central Oklahoma came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Central Oklahoma is $13,381 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at UCO

#14

Arizona Western College

Yuma, Arizona

With a ranking of #14, Arizona Western College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Yuma, Arizona, and it awarded 62 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Arizona Western College is $10,238 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full AWC Criminal Justice Report

#15

Rogers State University

Claremore, Oklahoma

Rogers State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Claremore, Oklahoma, and it awarded 13 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

RSU also made our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Rogers State University is $15,201 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at RSU

#16

St. Mary's University

San Antonio, Texas

St. Mary’s University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

St. Mary’s also made our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend St. Mary’s is $17,581 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#17

Mid-America Christian University

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

With a ranking of #17, Mid-America Christian University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MACU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MACU is $18,126 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice at Mid-America Christian University

#18

Texas College

Tyler, Texas

With a ranking of #18, Texas College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Tyler, Texas, and it awarded 18 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,271 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend TC.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Texas College

#19

Wiley College

Marshall, Texas

Wiley College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Marshall, Texas, and it awarded 13 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Wiley College is $17,314 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Wiley College

#20

Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, Texas

Wayland Baptist University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Plainview, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 105 degrees to qualified ’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wayland Baptist University, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wayland Baptist University is $23,238 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 full report on Criminal Justice at Wayland Baptist University

With a ranking of #21, Lubbock Christian University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

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 $23,569 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Lubbock Christian University

#22

University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, Texas

University of the Incarnate Word ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 $30-$48k list, UIW has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $23,053 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of the Incarnate Word.

Full University of the Incarnate Word Criminal Justice Report

Strayer University - Texas ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Strayer University - Texas is a private for-profit institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k list, Strayer University - Texas has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking.

Full Strayer University - Texas Criminal Justice Report

Abilene Christian University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Abilene Christian University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Abilene, Texas. It awarded 11 ’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Abilene Christian also took the #20 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $24,260 for Southwest Region Criminal Justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Abilene Christian University.

Read more about Criminal Justice at Abilene Christian University

#25

Texas Southern University

Houston, Texas

Texas Southern University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s criminal justice degrees to 56 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $24,201 for southwest region criminal justice students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend TSU.

Read more about Criminal Justice at TSU

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Featured Criminal Justice Administration Schools

Find Schools Near You