2027 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southwest Region
Criminal Justice & Corrections is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 145 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best criminal justice & corrections schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Criminal Justice & Corrections in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall criminal justice & corrections education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in Criminal Justice & Corrections
University Of Arizona tops our 2027 ranking of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 173 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Arizona
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the top schools for criminal justice & corrections. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 330 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $53,732. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Arizona State University
A rank of #3 makes Arizona State University Skysong one of the top schools for criminal justice & corrections. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 379 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $53,732 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Arizona State University Skysong
Texas Christian University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. About 95 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Texas Christian University earn around $34,556 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $20,429 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Texas Christian University
Students looking for a strong criminal justice & corrections program will find one at University Of North Texas, which ranked #5. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 279 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of North Texas earn around $47,072 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,538.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of North Texas
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 176 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $49,360 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $19,908 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for The University Of Texas At Arlington
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 312 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Texas State University San Marcos earn around $41,939 in the first couple years of their career. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Texas State University San Marcos
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #8 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 100 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn around $53,003 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $27,156 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Northern Arizona University placed #9 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Northern Arizona University
Sam Houston State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Sam Houston State University graduates 55% of students within six years. Sam Houston State University awarded about 908 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections 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.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Sam Houston State University
Wayland Baptist University earned the #11 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 19% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wayland Baptist University awarded about 73 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $53,038 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Wayland Baptist University
Angelo State University came in at #12 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Angelo State University awarded about 60 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $35,955 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Angelo State University
Abilene Christian University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $56,463 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Abilene Christian University
Del Mar College landed the #14 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. There were roughly 68 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Del Mar College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Typical student debt for the program is $6,250.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Del Mar College
University Of Houston Downtown earned the #15 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. University Of Houston Downtown graduates 33% of students within six years. About 349 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Downtown in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $53,630 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,757.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for University Of Houston Downtown
Tarleton State University came in at #16 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large public university is located in the town of Stephenville. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 190 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Tarleton State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $50,979. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Tarleton State University
Lamar Institute Of Technology ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. About 86 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Lamar Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Lamar Institute Of Technology earn around $71,733 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,318 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Lamar Institute Of Technology
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #18 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large public university is located in the town of Nacogdoches. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $40,308 early in their careers. Stephen F Austin State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Stephen F Austin State University
Mesa Community College placed #19 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. There were roughly 115 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $54,730 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Mesa Community College
Central Texas College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. There were roughly 118 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Central Texas College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $39,465 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,521.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Central Texas College
Alvin Community College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Alvin Community College awarded about 46 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $67,797. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Alvin Community College
Pima Community College came in at #22 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 115 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Pima Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $47,820. Students borrow a median of $7,562 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Pima Community College
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #23 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 211 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn around $42,491 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from The University Of Texas At San Antonio
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #24 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 93 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $38,370 in their early career. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #25 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chandler. About 83 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Typical student debt for the program is $10,447.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Chandler Gilbert Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong criminal justice & corrections education:
Narrow Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools by State
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 145 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.
