2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $24,750. Criminal Justice graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas A And M International University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice 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 graduates is $15,500. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $38,668. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Amarillo College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $16,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $42,434. That is a strong return on a $16,624 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #4 place for criminal justice. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,644 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $35,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for criminal justice. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $35,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Oklahoma College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, compared with $11,848 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,093 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice value this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Students borrow a median of $9,291 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $49,987. That is a strong return on a $9,291 median debt.
Tulsa Community College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana landed the #9 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $7,425 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,425 median debt.
Arizona Western College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Criminal Justice graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
Hill College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,862. Students borrow a median of $12,302 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $39,212. That is a strong return on a $12,302 median debt.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #12 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $23,050. Criminal Justice graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $37,763 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,050 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $20,212. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $36,532. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University landed the #15 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $21,645. Criminal Justice graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #16 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $53,732 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wiley College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice. 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 graduates carry a median of $37,457 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Wiley College earn a median of $32,743 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Students borrow a median of $36,117 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $46,337. Set against $36,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,156. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $53,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Sam Houston State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,218 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $44,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Texas College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,008. Students borrow a median of $39,423 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $34,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College landed the #22 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the town of Seminole, Seminole State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,460, with out-of-state students paying around $11,790. Students borrow a median of $10,162 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Seminole State College earn a median of $26,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rogers State University came in at #23 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $17,880. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Rogers State University generally make around $38,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $41,939 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
American Intercontinental University Online landed the #25 spot for criminal justice value this year. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. In-state tuition and fees average $12,397. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $37,625 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $32,231 early in their careers. Set against $37,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice this year:
Narrow Criminal Justice Schools by State
More Criminal Justice Rankings
View All Criminal Justice Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
