Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's criminal justice programs show a striking cost-earnings divide that challenges traditional assumptions about public versus private education value. While Southeastern Oklahoma State delivers the most affordable option at $6,352 net cost, the University of Oklahoma commands nearly three times more at $17,413 but produces graduates earning $48,823,a 71% premium over the state average. This earnings gap reflects Oklahoma's law enforcement market, where agencies like the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Tulsa Police Department compete for qualified graduates. The state's 17 programs range from ultra-affordable options under $8,000 to premium private schools exceeding $20,000, yet graduation rates tell a sobering story. Only three schools achieve rates above 50%, with some falling below 25% despite reasonable costs.

Programs

$6,352 – $23,678

Net Price Range

$34,839

Avg. Program Earnings

38.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Southeastern Oklahoma State University Durant, Oklahoma	$6,352	$28,598	$7,200	33.3%	74.2%
2	East Central University Ada, Oklahoma	$9,287	$32,770	$8,032	32.7%	70.1%
3	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, Oklahoma	$17,413	$48,823	$9,595	75.3%	72.9%
4	Cameron University Lawton, Oklahoma	$10,705	$29,141	$6,900	21.5%
5	Northeastern State University Tahlequah, Oklahoma	$11,800	$32,021	$7,513	37.2%	99.5%
6	Rogers State University Claremore, Oklahoma	$13,953	$33,993	$7,392	25.4%
7	Mid-America Christian University Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	$17,123	$39,369	$19,896	33.3%
8	University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, Oklahoma	$18,990	$33,993	$8,522	37.5%	69.9%
9	Oklahoma Christian University Edmond, Oklahoma	$21,423		$25,900	55.2%	96.0%
10	University of Tulsa Tulsa, Oklahoma	$23,678		$48,602	73.3%	69.2%
11	Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, Oklahoma	$14,542		$8,295	34.7%	76.8%
12	Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	$21,556		$33,586	64.2%	70.4%
13	Oklahoma Panhandle State University Goodwell, Oklahoma	$7,557		$7,922	26.1%
14	Bacone College Muskogee, Oklahoma	$12,197		$15,060	2.4%
15	Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, Oklahoma	$11,366		$5,970	35.4%	56.4%
16	Langston University Langston, Oklahoma	$11,359		$6,728	17.5%
17	Southern Nazarene University Bethany, Oklahoma	$17,838		$29,600	48.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the University of Oklahoma worth nearly triple the cost of cheaper options?

OU graduates earn $48,823 annually, which is $20,225 more than Southeastern Oklahoma State graduates despite costing $11,061 more in net price. The school maintains a 75.3% graduation rate compared to 33.3% at SOSU. Over a career, this earnings difference typically recovers the higher education investment within two years of graduation.

How do Oklahoma's public criminal justice programs compare in actual affordability?

Net costs among public schools vary dramatically from $6,352 at Southeastern to $18,990 at Central Oklahoma. However, in-state tuition tells a different story, with Northwestern Oklahoma State charging just $5,970 while OU charges $9,595. Students should examine both figures since net cost includes financial aid that may not be renewable.

Is the low graduation rate at some schools a red flag for prospective students?

Several Oklahoma schools show concerning patterns with graduation rates below 30%, including Cameron at 21.5% and Rogers State at 25.4%. These low rates often correlate with part-time student populations and open admission policies. Students should investigate support services and consider whether they match the school's typical student profile before enrolling.

Does Oklahoma's Promise scholarship program affect criminal justice program value?

Oklahoma's Promise covers full tuition for qualifying low-income families, making in-state public options extremely affordable. At schools like Northwestern Oklahoma State with $5,970 tuition, eligible students pay only fees and living costs. This program particularly benefits criminal justice students since many enter public service careers with moderate starting salaries around $30,000.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.