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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Corrections Schools in the Southwest Region

5 Colleges in the United States
$15,365 Avg Student Debt
$43,350 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Corrections Badge [Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/corrections/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for corrections students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Corrections Schools in the Southwest Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Corrections Schools

1

Lamar State College Orange earned the #1 spot for value among corrections schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes Trinity Valley Community College one of the best values for corrections. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, 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.

3
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX

San Antonio College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,003 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $43,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned it the #4 place for corrections. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,425 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mclennan Community College earned it the #5 place for corrections. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $34,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Central Arizona College landed the #6 spot for corrections value this year. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Austin Community College District earned the #7 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,378 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $46,175. That is a strong return on a $16,378 median debt.

8
Hill College crest
Hill College
Hillsboro, TX

Hill College came in at #8 for value in corrections this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $12,302. Early-career corrections graduates make about $39,212. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Rio Salado College came in at #9 for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $51,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Howard College crest
Howard College
Big Spring, TX

Howard College placed #10 among the best values for corrections. Howard College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. Students borrow a median of $13,278 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $33,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11
Angelina College crest
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX

Angelina College landed the #11 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,430 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,828 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Angelina College generally make around $50,767. Set against $7,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $15,204. Corrections graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.

13
Langston University crest
Langston University
Langston, OK

Langston University came in at #13 for value in corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,616. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $30,017. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Langston University generally make around $39,579. Set against $30,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #14 spot for corrections value this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $15,996. Early-career corrections graduates make about $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

South Mountain Community College landed the #15 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,825.

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16

Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #16 among the best values for corrections. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $10,447. Corrections graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Estrella Mountain Community College came in at #17 for value in corrections this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.

18

Mesa Community College landed the #18 spot for corrections value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Arizona State University placed #19 among the best values for corrections. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

20

Paradise Valley Community College earned the #20 position for value in corrections this year. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $14,204. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. That is a strong return on a $14,204 median debt.

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21

Scottsdale Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $48,039. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.

22

Texas State University San Marcos landed the #22 spot for corrections value this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

23
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX

Blinn College placed #23 among the best values for corrections. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Students borrow a median of $14,230 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,230 median debt.

24

University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $16,500. Early-career corrections graduates make about $38,370. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

25

University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #25 for value in corrections this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Corrections graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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