2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
Leading the list is Texas A And M International University, our #1 best value for criminal justice in the Southwest Region. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $38,668. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M University Central Texas one of the best values for criminal justice. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $45,976. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $35,865. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,644 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $35,314. That is a strong return on a $11,644 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Amarillo College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,624 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $42,434. Set against $16,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
South Plains College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice this year. 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 graduates is $9,291. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $49,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $48,826. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
Northern Oklahoma College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $13,093 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Western College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice value this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Criminal Justice graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
East Central University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,553 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $41,437. That is a strong return on a $21,553 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Hill College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Students borrow a median of $12,302 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $39,212. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $53,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,050 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $37,763. That is a strong return on a $23,050 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #15 for value in criminal justice this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $36,117. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $46,337 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,117 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #16 spot for criminal justice value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $55,134. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University came in at #17 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rogers State University came in at #18 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Students borrow a median of $17,880 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Rogers State University generally make around $38,064. That is a strong return on a $17,880 median debt.
Eastern Oklahoma State College landed the #19 spot for criminal justice value this year. Eastern Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the rural area of Wilburton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,767, while out-of-state students pay about $8,383. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sam Houston State University earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Students borrow a median of $23,218 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $44,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,218 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Wiley College earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Wiley College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,500. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $37,457. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Wiley College generally make around $32,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #22 for value in criminal justice this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $41,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $27,156 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $53,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
American Intercontinental University Online landed the #24 spot for criminal justice value this year. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,397. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $37,625. Criminal Justice graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $32,231 early in their careers. Set against $37,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid America Christian University came in at #25 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,294. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $37,852 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Mid America Christian University earn a median of $43,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice value ranking:
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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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
