2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southwest Region
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 213 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Pima Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in the Southwest Region. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $7,562 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $47,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $45,976. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas A And M International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections 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. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $38,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Del Mar College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alvin Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,600. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $67,797. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College came in at #6 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $37,432. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,112. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $35,865. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
College Of The Mainland landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,928. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $48,704 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,084 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $25,846. That is a strong return on a $6,084 median debt.
El Centro College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,727. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $36,386 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $8,768 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $49,243. That is a strong return on a $8,768 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $48,194. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,753 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $55,919. Set against $8,753 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,779 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,564. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City generally make around $45,580. That is a strong return on a $16,375 median debt.
Grayson College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $7,425 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $27,638. Set against $7,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,003 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $43,712 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,521 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $39,465 early in their careers. Set against $10,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,624 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $42,434 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,624 median debt.
Mclennan Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $12,606. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $34,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,000. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Tarrant County College District landed the #24 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,262. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,315. Set against $16,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $35,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 213 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 90 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.
