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# Best Criminology Programs in Texas (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

This page ranks the 7 Criminology programs in Texas with a published earnings cohort by median earnings of Criminology graduates four years after completing. [Saint Edward's University](/school/saint-edwards-university/majors/) leads the list at $56,224, followed by [The University of Texas at Dallas](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-dallas/majors/) at $52,244 and [University of Houston-Clear Lake](/school/university-of-houston-clear-lake/majors/) at $52,087.

Across the listed schools, median earnings range from $56,224 to $32,563, with a median of $48,731. For 2 of the 7 programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

4 of the schools are public and 3 are private nonprofit. The University of Texas at Dallas ranks 74th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, the strongest showing on the page.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville posts the lowest average net price at $12,090, and St. Mary's University reports the highest admission rate, admitting 98% of applicants.

## The ranked list

7 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Saint Edward's University · Austin, TX | $56,224 | $25,578 | $20,799 | 81.4% |
|  | [Saint Edward's University](/school/saint-edwards-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $56,224](/school/saint-edwards-university/outcomes/) for its Criminology graduates four years after completing, the highest on this list. |
| 2 | The University of Texas at Dallas · Richardson, TX | $52,244 | $18,267 | $12,814 | 65.1% |
|  | [The University of Texas at Dallas](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-dallas/majors/) [admits 65% of applicants](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-dallas/admissions/) and its Criminology graduates earn a median of $52,244 four years after completing. |
| 3 | University of Houston-Clear Lake · Houston, TX | $52,087 | $15,563 | $7,330 | 90.5% |
|  | [University of Houston-Clear Lake](/school/university-of-houston-clear-lake/majors/) carries a [median federal debt of $16,750](/school/university-of-houston-clear-lake/cost/) among Criminology completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $52,087 four years after completing. |
| 4 | St. Mary's University · San Antonio, TX | $48,731 | $21,145 | $18,352 | 97.8% |
|  | St. Mary's University posts an admission rate of 98% and an average net price of $21,145. |
| 5 | The University of Texas Permian Basin · Odessa, TX | $41,193 | $12,723 | $11,930 | 94.9% |
|  | [The University of Texas Permian Basin](/school/the-university-of-texas-permian-basin/majors/) shows an [average net price of $12,723](/school/the-university-of-texas-permian-basin/cost/) and a median of $41,193 for its Criminology graduates four years after completing. |
| 6 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville · Kingsville, TX | $40,965 | $12,090 | $10,207 | 90.9% |
|  | [Texas A&M University-Kingsville](/school/texas-am-university-kingsville/majors/) ranks 6th on this list and reports a [median of $40,965](/school/texas-am-university-kingsville/outcomes/) for its Criminology graduates four years after completing. |
| 7 | Howard Payne University · Brownwood, TX | $32,563 | $23,627 | $24,043 | 67.4% |
|  | Howard Payne University has an average net price of $23,627 and a median of $32,563 for its Criminology graduates four years after completing. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Criminology graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in Texas appear. The figures cover federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled. For 2 of the 7 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. Saint Edward's University leads The University of Texas at Dallas by $3,980, and the spread from top to bottom is $23,661.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Criminology Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-criminology-programs/)
-   [Best Criminology Programs in California](/rankings/best-criminology-programs-in-california/)
-   [Best Criminology Programs in New York](/rankings/best-criminology-programs-in-new-york/)
-   Criminology Programs in Florida
-   Criminology Programs in Massachusetts
-   Social Sciences Colleges in Texas