2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Texas
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 116 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice & corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M University Central Texas the best value for a degree in criminal justice & corrections in Texas. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $45,976. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,500. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $38,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Del Mar College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice & corrections. 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.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $37,432. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alvin Community College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $67,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland came in at #6 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,928. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $48,704. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $18,506. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $13,727 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. 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.
El Paso Community College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. 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.
Trinity Valley Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,750. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,623. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.
Laredo Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,000. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $48,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $8,753. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $55,919 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,753 median debt.
Grayson College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,003 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $43,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,521 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,465. Set against $10,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. 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. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,624 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $42,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,644 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $35,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,644 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Tarrant County College District came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,262 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections 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.
Midland College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,000. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. 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.
Austin Community College District landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. 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 & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,378 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $46,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $25,923 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,925. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $56,454 early in their careers. Set against $13,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Temple College landed the #24 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 & corrections graduates is $11,500. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Temple College earn a median of $55,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #25 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
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:
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 116 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
