Cheapest Criminology Colleges in Texas

The University of Texas Permian Basin stands out with the lowest net cost at $9,144 for criminology students, while private options stretch to $25,314. This dramatic $16,170 price gap reflects Texas's blend of accessible public education and specialized private programs. The state's massive healthcare infrastructure, anchored by Houston's Texas Medical Center, creates crossover opportunities for criminology graduates in healthcare security, medical investigations, and compliance roles. Graduate earnings range from $29,995 to $41,193, with UT Permian Basin delivering the highest returns despite its low cost.

Programs

$9,144 – $25,314

Net Price Range

$34,254

Avg. Program Earnings

48.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

14 Criminology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, Texas	$9,144	$10,904	43.0%	94.7%
2	Texas A & M University-Kingsville Kingsville, Texas	$10,204	$9,892	45.6%	96.6%
3	University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, Texas	$11,056	$7,746	50.9%	69.4%
4	Texas A & M University-Commerce Commerce, Texas	$11,268	$10,026	45.9%	86.5%
5	Texas A&M University-San Antonio San Antonio, Texas	$13,220	$9,548	29.4%	96.1%
6	The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, Texas	$17,435	$14,564	70.8%	84.7%
7	University of St Thomas Houston, Texas	$18,762	$33,660	68.6%	96.7%
8	Southwestern Assemblies of God University Waxahachie, Texas	$19,655	$18,610	35.5%	85.7%
9	McMurry University Abilene, Texas	$19,988	$31,372	38.6%	56.5%
10	St. Mary's University San Antonio, Texas	$21,352	$36,242	58.8%	86.2%
11	Concordia University Texas Austin, Texas	$22,240	$36,690	40.5%	85.7%
12	Saint Edward's University Austin, Texas	$23,636	$51,384	64.2%	85.1%
13	Howard Payne University Brownwood, Texas	$25,255	$33,322	31.1%	62.3%
14	LeTourneau University Longview, Texas	$25,314	$35,500	61.1%	48.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Public universities dominate the affordable end, with 6 schools under $14,000 annually, while private institutions fill the $18,000-$25,314 range. The $16,170 gap reflects state funding for public education versus private tuition models. Schools like UT Permian Basin leverage state support to keep costs low.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs?

Higher-priced programs generally show better completion rates, with UT Dallas achieving 70.8% graduation despite a $17,435 net cost. However, UT Permian Basin breaks this pattern with 43% graduation at just $9,144. Private schools average 50% graduation rates across the price spectrum.

Does geographic location within Texas affect program affordability?

Houston area schools span the full cost range, from UT Clear Lake at $11,056 to University of St Thomas at $18,762. Austin programs cluster in the mid-range around $22,000-$23,000. Rural locations like Kingsville and Commerce offer some of the lowest costs under $11,300.

Where do criminology graduates find the best earning potential relative to program cost?

UT Permian Basin delivers the strongest return with $41,193 earnings against $9,144 costs, a 4.5x ratio. UT Clear Lake also performs well at 3.4x with $37,568 earnings for $11,056 investment. Private schools generally show lower earning multiples despite higher graduation rates.

More Criminology Rankings

Best Value Criminology in Texas Criminology Under $20,000 in Texas

All Criminology Programs Best Colleges in Texas Best Criminology in Texas

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