2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

For return on investment in criminology, no school beat Central New Mexico Community College this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $28,987 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

2

Paris Junior College
Paris, TX

Paris Junior College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.

3

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $20,052. Early-career criminology graduates make about $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Clear Lake earned it the #4 place for criminology. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $16,149. Early-career criminology graduates make about $43,090. That is a strong return on a $16,149 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

5

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

A rank of #5 makes Texas A And M University Commerce one of the best values for criminology. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $23,796. Early-career criminology graduates make about $62,820. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.

6

Texas A And M University San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #6 for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $22,771. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $45,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

7

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #7 for value in criminology this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Criminology graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $34,938 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University placed #8 among the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $37,214. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

9

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #9 among the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Criminology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $40,603. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of St Thomas Texas
Houston, TX

University Of St Thomas Texas earned the #10 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,634 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $23,628. Criminology graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.

11

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University landed the #11 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

12

St Marys University
San Antonio, TX

St Marys University came in at #12 for value in criminology this year. St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $37,434. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from St Marys University generally make around $33,978. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Marys University admits about 98% of applicants.

13

Oklahoma Baptist University
Shawnee, OK

Oklahoma Baptist University came in at #13 for value in criminology this year. Set in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,570. Criminology graduates carry a median of $23,425 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University earn a median of $47,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,425 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

14

Howard Payne University
Brownwood, TX

Howard Payne University earned the #14 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the town of Brownwood, Howard Payne University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,982 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,734 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Howard Payne University generally make around $45,660. That is a strong return on a $24,734 median debt. Howard Payne University admits about 67% of applicants.

15

Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK

Oklahoma Wesleyan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the town of Bartlesville, Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,550. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $30,970. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Oklahoma Wesleyan University generally make around $64,764. That is a strong return on a $30,970 median debt. Oklahoma Wesleyan University admits about 66% of applicants.