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Cheapest Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Texas

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Texas A&M University-Central Texas delivers Criminal Justice and Corrections education at just $1,113 net cost annually, making it the most affordable option among Texas programs. This massive cost advantage reflects the state's commitment to accessible public education, particularly significant given that graduates enter a field where median earnings reach $40,056 at the high end. The $11,601 gap between the cheapest and most expensive programs shows how institutional choice directly impacts student debt loads. Texas law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Public Safety and county sheriff's offices, actively recruit from these programs to fill growing demand across the state's 254 counties. Private institutions like Texas College and Wiley University charge substantially more while producing lower graduation rates, creating a clear value proposition for cost-conscious students. With acceptance rates above 90% at most schools, access remains open for students committed to careers in corrections, probation, and law enforcement throughout Texas.
50
Programs
$1,113 – $23,790
Net Price Range
$32,434
Avg. Program Earnings
41.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
2 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
3 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
4 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
5 $8,376 $9,590 43.8% 93.6%
6 $8,624 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%
7 $9,144 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
8 $10,095 $12,500 20.0%
9 $10,204 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
10 $10,409 $11,720 15.1%
11 $10,650 $10,008 10.7%
12 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
13 $10,948 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
14 $10,991 $7,592 27.4% 97.1%
15 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
16 $11,268 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
17 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
18 $11,882 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
19 $12,637 $7,930 31.2% 91.5%
20 $12,714 $14,520 99.2%
21 $12,915 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
22 $13,931 $9,920 46.8% 93.9%
23 $14,041 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
24 $14,352 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
25 $14,623 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
26 $15,137 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
27 $15,152 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
28 $15,235 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
29 $16,025 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
30 $16,438 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
31 $17,517 $13,920 50.0%
32 $17,760 $31,728 42.4%
33 $17,950 $12,836 27.0%
34 $18,264 $14,842 45.5%
35 $19,398 $37,934 32.4% 60.9%
36 $19,655 $18,610 35.5% 85.7%
37 $19,710 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
38 $19,734 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
39 $19,847 $14,703 36.1% 51.9%
40 $19,988 $31,372 38.6% 56.5%
41 $20,244 $13,498 38.1% 57.3%
42 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
43 $20,498 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
44 $20,540 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
45 $20,841 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
46 $21,031 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
47 $21,352 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
48 $21,571 $15,764
49 $23,636 $51,384 64.2% 85.1%
50 $23,790 $30,050 48.0% 67.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Texas A&M University-Central Texas so much cheaper than other Criminal Justice programs?

The $1,113 net cost reflects significant state funding and need-based aid that reduces the published tuition of $6,627. As a public university serving military families near Fort Hood, the school receives additional federal support that drives down student costs. The 95.71% acceptance rate indicates minimal selectivity barriers, allowing the university to operate efficiently with larger class sizes.

How do graduation rates compare between public and private Criminal Justice programs in Texas?

Public universities generally outperform private institutions, with UT San Antonio achieving 51.20% graduation rates compared to Texas College's 10.70%. UT Rio Grande Valley graduates 49.30% of students while charging just $6,500 net cost. Private schools like Jarvis Christian University show 15.10% graduation rates despite charging $10,409 annually, suggesting better value at public institutions.

Where do Criminal Justice graduates earn the highest starting salaries in Texas?

University of Houston-Victoria graduates earn $37,424 annually, the highest among reporting schools, despite the program costing $8,624 net. Texas Woman's University follows closely at $36,776 earnings for an $10,948 investment. These schools benefit from proximity to major metropolitan areas where law enforcement salaries exceed rural markets by significant margins.

Does student debt vary significantly across Texas Criminal Justice programs?

Debt loads range from $11,000 at UT Rio Grande Valley to $34,000 at Texas College, a $23,000 difference that dramatically affects career entry. Public universities typically produce debt under $25,000, while private institutions often exceed $25,000. Texas A&M International University graduates carry just $15,500 in debt while earning $27,784 annually, creating favorable debt-to-income ratios.

Is admission competitive for Texas Criminal Justice and Corrections programs?

Most programs accept over 90% of applicants, with UT El Paso accepting 99.92% and UT Permian Basin accepting 94.71%. Texas A&M International University stands out with 47.88% acceptance, indicating higher selectivity. The open access approach reflects workforce demand in law enforcement, corrections, and probation services across Texas counties and municipalities.

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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.