2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Texas
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) 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 84 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice & corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice & corrections schools in Texas. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. 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.
College Of The Mainland came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $48,704. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $37,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Lamar State College Orange placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,500. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $38,668 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
El Centro College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $36,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $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 At Brownsville ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $25,923. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $8,753 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $55,919 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,644 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $35,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,644 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Midland College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Amarillo College landed the #14 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,624. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $42,434. That is a strong return on a $16,624 median debt.
Brazosport College earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
San Antonio College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $13,003 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $43,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $34,468. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
Houston Community College placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $13,925 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $56,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,925 median debt.
Laredo Community College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,000. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $48,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Bend College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,916, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,609 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District came in at #22 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,378 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Odessa College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,087. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
South Plains College placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,291. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $49,987 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,291 median debt.
Howard College placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Howard College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. Students borrow a median of $13,278 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $33,724. Set against $13,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 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.
