Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 41 colleges in Texas that report a Criminal Justice earnings cohort, ordered by the median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. Saint Edward's University ranks 1st with median earnings of $61,566 for its graduates after completing.
Across the 39 schools with a reported completion median, median earnings range from $61,566 to $29,685, with a median of $50,809.
Public institutions make up 63% of the list, with 26 public and 15 private nonprofit schools. Texas A & M International University posts the lowest average net price at $3,637, while The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Criminal Justice Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Edward's University · Austin, TX | $61,566 | $25,578 | $20,799 | 81.4% |
| Saint Edward's University reports $61,566 in median earnings of Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $25,578. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (23 graduates), Security Science and Technology (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($66,986) | |||||
| 2 | Texas Woman's University · Denton, TX | $60,708 | $11,963 | $9,948 | 96.1% |
| Texas Woman's University admits 96% of applicants and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $60,708 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($60,708) | |||||
| 3 | Stephen F Austin State University · Nacogdoches, TX | $58,606 | $14,260 | $10,318 | 94.0% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 53%, Stephen F Austin State University posts median earnings of $58,606 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (46 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($58,606) | |||||
| 4 | West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX | $58,011 | $19,487 | $16,525 | 98.7% |
| West Texas A & M University ranks 4th on this list and carries an average net price of $16,525 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (41 graduates), Homeland Security (39 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($58,011) | |||||
| 5 | Wayland Baptist University · Plainview, TX | $57,805 | $20,590 | $20,070 | 56.0% |
| Wayland Baptist University reports median earnings of $57,805 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 19%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (58 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($57,805) | |||||
| 6 | The University of Texas at Arlington · Arlington, TX | $57,210 | $13,951 | $11,893 | 79.9% |
| The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $57,210 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (169 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($57,210) | |||||
| 7 | Texas Christian University · Fort Worth, TX | $56,791 | $36,660 | $17,956 | 44.5% |
| Texas Christian University graduates 86% within six years and reports an average net price of $17,956 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (71 graduates) | |||||
| 8 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $54,824 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 72.2% |
| University of North Texas posts median earnings of $54,824 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing and admits 72% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (276 graduates), Homeland Security (43 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Homeland Security ($63,622), Criminal Justice and Corrections ($53,453) | |||||
| 9 | Lamar University · Beaumont, TX | $54,509 | $9,366 | $7,568 | 86.4% |
| Lamar University carries an average net price of $9,366 and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $54,509 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (99 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($54,509) | |||||
| 10 | University of the Incarnate Word · San Antonio, TX | $54,097 | $22,775 | $19,260 | 98.1% |
| University of the Incarnate Word ranks 10th on this list with median earnings of $54,097 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (41 graduates), Security Science and Technology (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($54,097) | |||||
| 11 | Tarleton State University · Stephenville, TX | $53,821 | $20,783 | $15,574 | 89.6% |
| Tarleton State University reports a six-year completion rate of 48% and an average net price of $15,574 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (209 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($53,821) | |||||
| 12 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $53,792 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
| Texas A&M University-College Station admits 57% of applicants and its Criminal Justice graduates earn a median of $53,792 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Security Science and Technology (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Security Science and Technology ($53,792) | |||||
| 13 | University of Houston-Downtown · Houston, TX | $53,589 | $10,542 | $9,439 | 90.0% |
| University of Houston-Downtown reports median earnings of $53,589 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $10,542. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (255 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($53,589) | |||||
| 14 | Our Lady of the Lake University · San Antonio, TX | $53,505 | $16,442 | $16,236 | Not reported |
| A private nonprofit university in San Antonio, Our Lady of the Lake University posts a six-year completion rate of 46% and an average net price of $16,236 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($53,505) | |||||
| 15 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $52,447 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
| Texas State University ranks 40th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and admits 89% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (339 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($52,447) | |||||
| 16 | Sam Houston State University · Huntsville, TX | $51,748 | $16,404 | $12,474 | 90.3% |
| With median earnings of $51,748 four years after completing, Sam Houston State University graduates 55% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (838 graduates), Homeland Security (26 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($51,748) | |||||
| 17 | The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $51,034 | $10,836 | $7,870 | 86.8% |
| The University of Texas at San Antonio carries an average net price of $10,836 and reports median earnings of $51,034 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (241 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($51,034) | |||||
| 18 | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor · Belton, TX | $50,900 | $26,106 | $22,089 | 95.8% |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor admits 96% of applicants and shows an average net price of $22,089 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (12 graduates) | |||||
| 19 | Midwestern State University · Wichita Falls, TX | $50,888 | $11,656 | $8,856 | 93.5% |
| Midwestern State University ranks 19th on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 43% and an average net price of $11,656. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (27 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($50,888) | |||||
| 20 | Texas A&M University-Victoria · Victoria, TX | $50,809 | $8,109 | $5,317 | 95.9% |
| Texas A&M University-Victoria reports median earnings of $50,809 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, the same as the list median of $50,809. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (38 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($50,809) | |||||
| 21 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg, TX | $49,979 | $4,831 | $3,785 | 94.2% |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley holds an average net price of $4,831 and ranks 11th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (581 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($49,979) | |||||
| 22 | Texas Wesleyan University · Fort Worth, TX | $49,909 | $24,066 | $21,812 | 69.2% |
| A private nonprofit institution in Fort Worth, Texas Wesleyan University admits 69% of applicants and reports median earnings of $49,909 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (15 graduates) | |||||
| 23 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville · Kingsville, TX | $49,907 | $12,090 | $10,207 | 90.9% |
| Texas A&M University-Kingsville posts a six-year completion rate of 42% and an average net price of $10,207 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (39 graduates) | |||||
| 24 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi · Corpus Christi, TX | $49,859 | $15,225 | $11,445 | 88.6% |
| An admission rate of 89% and median earnings of $49,859 four years after completing are reported by Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi for its Criminal Justice graduates. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (64 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($49,859) | |||||
| 25 | Angelo State University · San Angelo, TX | $49,416 | $15,091 | $12,008 | 83.0% |
| Angelo State University admits 83% of applicants and reports a six-year completion rate of 44%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (47 graduates), Homeland Security (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($54,853) | |||||
| 26 | Hardin-Simmons University · Abilene, TX | $49,389 | $19,555 | $13,822 | 90.0% |
| Hardin-Simmons University reports median earnings of $49,389 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($49,389) | |||||
| 27 | Texas A & M International University · Laredo, TX | $48,833 | $3,637 | $3,097 | 44.4% |
| Texas A & M International University, a public university in Laredo, posts an average net price of $3,097 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (178 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($48,833) | |||||
| 28 | Prairie View A & M University · Prairie View, TX | $47,743 | $13,570 | $12,120 | 79.3% |
| Prairie View A & M University ranks 28th on this list and reports a six-year completion rate of 43%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (129 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($47,743) | |||||
| 29 | The University of Texas at El Paso · El Paso, TX | $47,211 | $9,403 | $7,863 | 99.9% |
| The University of Texas at El Paso reports median earnings of $47,211 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing and admits 100% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (283 graduates), Security Science and Technology (28 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($47,681), Security Science and Technology ($42,459) | |||||
| 30 | East Texas A&M University · Commerce, TX | $46,596 | $11,841 | $9,709 | 92.2% |
| East Texas A&M University carries an average net price of $11,841 and ranks 185th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (144 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($46,596) | |||||
| 31 | Texas Southern University · Houston, TX | $45,961 | $16,590 | $16,437 | 96.9% |
| Texas Southern University graduates 22% of its students within six years and reports median earnings of $45,961 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (62 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($45,961) | |||||
| 32 | The University of Texas at Tyler · Tyler, TX | $44,607 | $13,323 | $10,307 | 94.0% |
| The University of Texas at Tyler admits 94% of applicants and carries an average net price of $10,307 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (42 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($44,607) | |||||
| 33 | Texas College · Tyler, TX | $43,156 | $10,958 | $9,639 | Not reported |
| Texas College reports median earnings of $43,156 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 14%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($43,156) | |||||
| 34 | Texas A&M University-Texarkana · Texarkana, TX | $42,676 | $12,997 | $11,002 | 63.5% |
| A public institution in Texarkana, Texas A&M University-Texarkana admits 64% of applicants and ranks 628th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (28 graduates) | |||||
| 35 | Sul Ross State University · Alpine, TX | $42,239 | $13,286 | $11,110 | 98.7% |
| Sul Ross State University carries an average net price of $13,286 and reports median earnings of $42,239 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (51 graduates) | |||||
| 36 | St. Mary's University · San Antonio, TX | $39,931 | $21,145 | $18,352 | 97.8% |
| St. Mary's University admits 98% of applicants and graduates 59% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Security Science and Technology (15 graduates), Criminal Justice and Corrections (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($46,782) | |||||
| 37 | Wiley University · Marshall, TX | $35,424 | $7,092 | $6,137 | Not reported |
| Wiley University, a private nonprofit university in Marshall, reports median earnings of $35,424 for its Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections ($35,424) | |||||
| 38 | Dallas Baptist University · Dallas, TX | $33,993 | $28,516 | $25,326 | 88.8% |
| Dallas Baptist University admits 89% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 57%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (11 graduates) | |||||
| 39 | Abilene Christian University · Abilene, TX | $31,741 | $26,182 | $20,285 | 66.0% |
| Graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $31,741 two years after completing, and the school's average net price is $26,182. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (16 graduates) | |||||
| 40 | East Texas Baptist University · Marshall, TX | $30,409 | $23,911 | $20,420 | 57.8% |
| East Texas Baptist University has an average net price of $20,420 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 47%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (13 graduates) | |||||
| 41 | Lubbock Christian University · Lubbock, TX | $29,685 | $24,456 | $23,018 | 73.1% |
| Ranking 41st on this list, Lubbock Christian University reports median earnings of $29,685 for its Criminal Justice graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Criminal Justice and Corrections (21 graduates) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Criminal Justice graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figure is the median earnings of federally aided Criminal Justice graduates who were working and not enrolled after completing. For 4 of the 41 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The figures cited on this page cover the 39 schools with a reported completion median. Saint Edward's University leads with $61,566, just $858 ahead of Texas Woman's University at $60,708, while the spread from top to bottom reaches $31,881.
Job market context in Texas
Graduates of Criminal Justice programs in Texas enter a labor market that includes occupations such as Security Guards, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers, and Firefighters. The median annual wage across those occupations is $59,013, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $47,746. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 12.7% higher, with 44,650 projected openings a year. That works out to about 877 openings a year for every hundred graduates, which is more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing, not the occupation-wide wages shown here.
Related rankings
- Criminal Justice Colleges
- Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New York
- Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Florida
- Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia
- Best Criminal Justice Colleges in California
- Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas for Social Mobility