2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools in the Southwest Region. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $7,562 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies 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.

2

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for criminal justice studies. 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, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $42,029. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

3

Alvin Community College
Alvin, TX

Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Alvin Community College, which ranked #3. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $67,797. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.

4

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,432. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

A rank of #5 makes College Of The Mainland one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $48,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $13,727. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $36,386. That is a strong return on a $13,727 median debt.

7

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice studies this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,084 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $25,846. Set against $6,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Lamar State College Orange
Orange, TX

Lamar State College Orange earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $18,506. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Laredo Community College
Laredo, TX

Laredo Community College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $48,194. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

10

New Mexico State University Dona Ana
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Dona Ana came in at #10 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $7,425. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $27,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,425 median debt.

11

Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX

San Antonio College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice studies this year. 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, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $13,003 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,855. That is a strong return on a $13,003 median debt.

13

Central Texas College
Killeen, TX

Central Texas College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies 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 studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $39,465. That is a strong return on a $10,521 median debt.

14

Tarrant County College District
Fort Worth, TX

Tarrant County College District ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $16,262 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $32,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Mclennan Community College
Waco, TX

Mclennan Community College placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $34,468 early in their careers. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Central Arizona College
Coolidge, AZ

Central Arizona College earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice studies 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,635. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.

17

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #17 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,644 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

18

The University Of Texas At Brownsville
Brownsville, TX

The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. 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 studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $25,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $17,912. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $31,599. That is a strong return on a $17,912 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

20

Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $59,511 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt.

21

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,250. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $34,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.

22

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $14,034 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $34,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,034 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

23

Temple College
Temple, TX

Temple College placed #23 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Temple, Temple 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 $7,524. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,941. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

New Mexico Junior College
Hobbs, NM

New Mexico Junior College earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hobbs. In-state tuition and fees average $1,440, with out-of-state students paying around $2,280. Students borrow a median of $9,986 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $50,220. Set against $9,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.