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

65 Ranked Colleges
3,711 Degrees Awarded
$4,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 113,581 criminal justice and corrections students received their degree, making the major the 6th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, criminal justice and corrections graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $31,952 and had an average of $24,936 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southwest region, there were 16,347 criminal justice and corrections graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,942 and $25,383 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 3,711 criminal justice and corrections graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,605 and $16,886 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 65 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in criminal justice and corrections. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality criminal justice and corrections programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the criminal justice and corrections program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

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

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

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice & Corrections (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

#1

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Texas College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. South Texas College is a large public school situated in McAllen, Texas. It awarded 383 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

South Texas College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $904 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Texas College.

Full South Texas College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Austin Community College District. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 114 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Austin Community College District also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Austin Community College District is $3,134 for southwest region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Austin Community College District Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#3

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend El Paso Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 275 students in 2019-2020.

El Paso Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for El Paso Community College is $3,978 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full El Paso Community College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#4

Grayson College

Denison, Texas

Out of the 65 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Grayson College landed the #4 spot on the list. This small school is located in Denison, Texas, and it awarded 13 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Grayson College is $6,639 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Grayson College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Collin County Community College District. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Collin County Community College District is a public institution located in McKinney, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 78 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Collin County Community College District, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Collin County Community College District is $4,565 for southwest region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Collin County Community College District Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#6

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Amarillo College is a medium-sized school located in Amarillo, Texas that handed out 57 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Amarillo College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Amarillo College is $4,740 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Amarillo College

#7

South Plains College

Levelland, Texas

South Plains College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. South Plains College is a public institution located in Levelland, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 52 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Plains College, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Plains College is $6,211 for southwest region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at South Plains College

#8

Del Mar College

Corpus Christi, Texas

Del Mar College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Corpus Christi, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 46 students in 2019-2020.

DMC also took the #10 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $4,638 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Del Mar College.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Del Mar College

#9

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona

Pima Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this fairly large public school awarded 62 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Pima County Community College District also took the #24 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pima Community College is $2,574 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Pima County Community College District Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#10

Redlands Community College

El Reno, Oklahoma

Redlands Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Redlands Community College is a small school located in El Reno, Oklahoma that handed out 20 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

Redlands Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Redlands Community College is $4,735 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Redlands Community College

#11

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas

With a ranking of #11, Lone Star College System did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in The Woodlands, Texas, this large public school handed out 131 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

North Harris Montgomery also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Lone Star College System is $7,146 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at North Harris Montgomery

#13

Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, Texas

Tarrant County College District ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tarrant County College District is a large school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 46 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tarrant County College, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Tarrant County College District is $5,225 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Tarrant County College District

#14

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Central New Mexico Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school has a large population, and it awarded 31 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend CNM is $2,604 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at CNM

Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and it awarded 31 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU-OKC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City is $5,742 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City

McLennan Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This medium-sized school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 69 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

MCC also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $5,970 for southwest region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at McLennan Community College

#17

Northern Oklahoma College

Tonkawa, Oklahoma

Northern Oklahoma College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, this small public school awarded 34 degrees to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

Northern Oklahoma College also made our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Northern Oklahoma College is $6,155 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Northern Oklahoma College

#18

Rio Salado College

Tempe, Arizona

Rio Salado College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s criminal justice degrees to 109 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rio Salado College, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rio Salado College is $9,102 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Rio Salado College Criminal Justice & Corrections Report

#19

Temple College

Temple, Texas

Temple College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Temple College is a public institution located in Temple, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,672 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Temple College.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Temple College

#20

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

Las Cruces, New Mexico

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, this medium-sized public school handed out 76 diplomas to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend New Mexico State University - Dona Ana is $4,942 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at NMSU Dona Ana

#21

Houston Community College

Houston, Texas

Houston Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Houston Community College is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 13 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Houston Community College is $4,562 for southwest region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Houston Community College

#22

Laredo College

Laredo, Texas

Laredo College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Laredo, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 31 degrees to qualified associates’s criminal justice students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,865 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Laredo College.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Laredo College

#23

Odessa College

Odessa, Texas

Odessa College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Odessa College is located in Odessa, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 41 associates’s criminal justice degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,380 for southwest region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Odessa College.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at Odessa College

#24

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. This fairly large school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 37 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for San Antonio College is $5,183 for southwest region associate degree criminal justice students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Criminal Justice & Corrections at San Antonio College

#25

Galveston College

Galveston, Texas

Galveston College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Galveston, Texas, and it awarded 2 associates’s criminal justice degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $2,857 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Criminal Justice students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Galveston College.

Full Galveston College Criminal Justice & Corrections 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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