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

90 Colleges in the United States
$18,273 Avg Student Debt
$44,020 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Badge [Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 213 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

1

Pima Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in the Southwest Region. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $7,562 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections 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 University Central Texas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $45,976. The acceptance rate is 100%.

3

Texas A And M International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $38,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

4
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alvin Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,600. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $67,797. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

South Texas College came in at #6 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. 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, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $37,432. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.

7

Central New Mexico Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,112. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $35,865. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

8
College Of The Mainland crest
College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,928. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $48,704 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.

9

El Paso Community College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,084 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $25,846. That is a strong return on a $6,084 median debt.

10
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,727. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $36,386 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Lamar State College Orange placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $8,768 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $49,243. That is a strong return on a $8,768 median debt.

13

Trinity Valley Community College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & 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.

14

Laredo Community College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $48,194. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Wharton County Junior College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,753 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $55,919. Set against $8,753 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. 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 & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City generally make around $45,580. That is a strong return on a $16,375 median debt.

17
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson 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 $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.

18

New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $7,425 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $27,638. Set against $7,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX

San Antonio College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,003 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $43,712 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Central Texas College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,521 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $39,465 early in their careers. Set against $10,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,624 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $42,434 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,624 median debt.

22

Mclennan Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $12,606. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $34,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23
Midland College crest
Midland College
Midland, TX

Midland College came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,000. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.

24

Tarrant County College District landed the #24 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,262. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,315. Set against $16,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $35,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ
32
33
34
35
Temple College crest
Temple College
Temple, TX
36
37
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX
38
39
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX
40
41
42
43
Hill College crest
Hill College
Hillsboro, TX
44
Cochise College crest
Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ
45
46
47
Texarkana College crest
Texarkana College
Texarkana, TX
48
49
50
Galveston College crest
Galveston College
Galveston, TX

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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 · 213 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 90 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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