2027 Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region
Criminal Justice 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.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best criminal justice schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Criminal Justice in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall criminal justice education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in Criminal Justice
Our analysis ranked Arizona State University the best school in the country for a degree in criminal justice. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 287 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Arizona State University earn around $53,732 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Arizona State University
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University Skysong one of the top schools for criminal justice. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 361 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $53,732 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
Read more about the criminal justice program at Arizona State University Skysong
A rank of #3 makes Texas State University San Marcos one of the top schools for criminal justice. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 24 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $41,939. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Texas State University San Marcos
A rank of #4 makes University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus one of the top schools for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 35 criminal justice degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $53,003 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,156 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice program report for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Sam Houston State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. Sam Houston State University awarded about 29 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $44,668 early in their careers. Sam Houston State University graduates carry a median of $23,218 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice details for Sam Houston State University
Wayland Baptist University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. Roughly 19% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wayland Baptist University awarded about 73 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Wayland Baptist University earn around $53,038 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Wayland Baptist University
Abilene Christian University landed the #7 spot for criminal justice this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $56,463 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice program report for Abilene Christian University
Tarleton State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Tarleton State University awarded about 29 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $50,979 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
See the full criminal justice program report for Tarleton State University
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #9 for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 480 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $35,314. Students borrow a median of $11,644 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice details for The University Of Texas Pan American
University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #10 position for criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. About 12 criminal justice degrees were awarded at University Of Central Oklahoma in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of Central Oklahoma earn around $39,609 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from University Of Central Oklahoma
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #11 for criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin graduates 40% of students within six years. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin awarded about 13 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice details for The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Texas A And M International University earned the #12 position for criminal justice this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Texas A And M International University graduates 46% of students within six years. About 71 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Texas A And M International University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $38,668 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500.
See the full criminal justice program report for Texas A And M International University
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. About 43 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Central Texas in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Texas A And M University Central Texas earn around $45,976 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750.
See the full criminal justice program report for Texas A And M University Central Texas
South Plains College came in at #14 for criminal justice this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. There were roughly 31 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at South Plains College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $49,987 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,291 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice program at South Plains College
Amarillo College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. About 42 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Amarillo College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $42,434 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,624.
Read more about the criminal justice program at Amarillo College
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. About 25 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $35,865 in their early career. Central New Mexico Community College graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice program at Central New Mexico Community College
Northeastern State University earned the #17 position for criminal justice this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Tahlequah. Northeastern State University graduates 35% of students within six years. Northeastern State University awarded about 63 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Northeastern State University earn around $37,763 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,050.
Get the full criminal justice details for Northeastern State University
Northern Oklahoma College came in at #18 for criminal justice this year. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. Northern Oklahoma College awarded about 20 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Northern Oklahoma College earn around $40,565 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Oklahoma College graduates carry a median of $13,093 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from Northern Oklahoma College
Arizona Western College came in at #19 for criminal justice this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Arizona Western College awarded about 57 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Arizona Western College earn around $44,895 in the first couple years of their career.
Read more about the criminal justice program at Arizona Western College
Tulsa Community College came in at #20 for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Tulsa Community College awarded about 30 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Tulsa Community College earn around $41,718 in the first couple years of their career. Tulsa Community College graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice program at Tulsa Community College
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #21 for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. About 16% of students finish within six years. University Of Phoenix Arizona awarded about 839 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $46,337 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $36,117.
More information about a degree in criminal justice from University Of Phoenix Arizona
Rogers State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Claremore. Rogers State University graduates 31% of students within six years. About 10 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Rogers State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Rogers State University earn around $38,064 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,880.
See the full criminal justice program report for Rogers State University
Ashford University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public university. Ashford University graduates 10% of students within six years. About 123 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Ashford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $47,257. Ashford University graduates carry a median of $37,625 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice program report for Ashford University
East Texas Baptist University landed the #24 spot for criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Marshall, East Texas Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. East Texas Baptist University awarded about 15 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $34,506 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full criminal justice program report for East Texas Baptist University
University Of The Incarnate Word earned the #25 position for criminal justice this year. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. University Of The Incarnate Word awarded about 11 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from University Of The Incarnate Word earn around $32,771 in the first couple years of their career. University Of The Incarnate Word graduates carry a median of $28,901 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice details for University Of The Incarnate Word
Rest of the Top 34 Criminal Justice Schools
These schools also placed among the best for criminal justice this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 34 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.
