2026 Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

No school ranked higher than Arizona State University this year for criminal justice. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 277 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $53,732 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Arizona State University

2

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University Skysong one of the top schools for criminal justice. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 375 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $53,732. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Arizona State University Skysong

3

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 17 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $41,939 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full criminal justice program report for Texas State University San Marcos

4

Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Abilene. Abilene Christian University graduates 59% of students within six years. About 31 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Abilene Christian University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $56,463 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Abilene Christian University

5

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

Students looking for a strong criminal justice program will find one at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 53 criminal justice degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $53,003. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $27,156 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

6

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University placed #6 among the best criminal justice schools. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 27 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Sam Houston State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $44,668. Sam Houston State University graduates carry a median of $23,218 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for Sam Houston State University

7

Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. About 48% of students finish within six years. Tarleton State University awarded about 35 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $50,979 in their early career. Tarleton State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice program at Tarleton State University

8

Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University landed the #8 spot for criminal justice this year. Set in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 19% of students finish within six years. About 74 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Wayland Baptist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $53,038. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Wayland Baptist University

9

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #9 spot for criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates 51% of students within six years. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 489 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $35,314 in their early career. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates carry a median of $11,644 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for The University Of Texas Pan American

10

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma placed #10 among the best criminal justice schools. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates 37% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Oklahoma in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $39,609 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for University Of Central Oklahoma

11

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University landed the #11 spot for criminal justice this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 75 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M International University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Texas A And M International University earn around $38,668 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500. Get the full criminal justice details for Texas A And M International University

12

Arizona Western College
Yuma, AZ

Arizona Western College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. About 69 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Arizona Western College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Get the full criminal justice details for Arizona Western College

13

Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College placed #13 among the best criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. There were roughly 44 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Amarillo College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $42,434 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,624. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Amarillo College

14

Rogers State University
Claremore, OK

Rogers State University placed #14 among the best criminal justice schools. Set in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public institution. About 31% of students finish within six years. Rogers State University awarded about 11 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Rogers State University generally make around $38,064. Rogers State University graduates carry a median of $17,880 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice program at Rogers State University

15

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 14 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $35,865 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Central New Mexico Community College

16

Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Northeastern State University graduates 35% of students within six years. About 70 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Northeastern State University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $37,763 early in their careers. Northeastern State University graduates carry a median of $23,050 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice program at Northeastern State University

17

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #17 spot for criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. About 44 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Central Texas in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Texas A And M University Central Texas

18

South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College placed #18 among the best criminal justice schools. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. There were roughly 38 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at South Plains College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $49,987 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,291. Read more about the criminal justice program at South Plains College

19

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University earned the #19 position for criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. About 34% of students finish within six years. East Central University awarded about 33 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from East Central University earn around $41,437 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,553. Read more about the criminal justice program at East Central University

20

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 16%. University Of Phoenix Arizona awarded about 849 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $46,337 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $36,117. See the full criminal justice program report for University Of Phoenix Arizona

21

Northern Oklahoma College
Tonkawa, OK

Northern Oklahoma College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Tonkawa. Northern Oklahoma College awarded about 17 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Northern Oklahoma College generally make around $40,565. Typical student debt for the program is $13,093. See the full criminal justice program report for Northern Oklahoma College

22

University Of The Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX

University Of The Incarnate Word ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Incarnate Word in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $32,771 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,901. See the full criminal justice program report for University Of The Incarnate Word

23

Mid America Christian University
Oklahoma City, OK

Mid America Christian University earned the #23 position for criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Mid America Christian University graduates 39% of students within six years. Mid America Christian University awarded about 13 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Mid America Christian University earn a median of $43,010 early in their careers. Mid America Christian University graduates carry a median of $37,852 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Mid America Christian University

24

Texas Southern University
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University came in at #24 for criminal justice this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. Texas Southern University graduates 22% of students within six years. Texas Southern University awarded about 88 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Texas Southern University earn around $29,763 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $36,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice program at Texas Southern University

25

St Marys University
San Antonio, TX

St Marys University placed #25 among the best criminal justice schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 12 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at St Marys University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of St Marys University earn a median of $30,237 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full criminal justice details for St Marys University