2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Southwest Region
[Criminal Justice & Police Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-and-police-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice & police science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 92 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice & police science schools.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & police science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice & police science in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $7,562 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $47,820 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,562 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $38,668. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
South Texas College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science 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.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Mainland one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $48,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & police science will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #5. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $10,112. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $35,865. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Del Mar College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $6,250. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $8,600. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $67,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $6,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $25,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinity Valley Community College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,768 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $49,243. That is a strong return on a $8,768 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $8,753. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $55,919. That is a strong return on a $8,753 median debt.
Laredo Community College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $6,000. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $48,194 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City came in at #14 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. 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 & Police Science graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $45,580. That is a strong return on a $16,375 median debt.
San Antonio College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $13,003 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $43,712. Set against $13,003 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $16,624 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $42,434. That is a strong return on a $16,624 median debt.
Midland College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $25,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $16,262. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $32,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $34,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Redlands Community College earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,385 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,682 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Redlands Community College generally make around $45,166. That is a strong return on a $14,682 median debt.
Central Texas College landed the #22 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $10,521 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $39,465. Set against $10,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $16,378 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yavapai College came in at #24 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $59,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College came in at #25 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,925 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $56,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice & police science:
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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 · 92 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
