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2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

16 Ranked Colleges
401 Degrees Awarded
$16,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 46,252 people earned their degree in criminal justice studies, making the major the 16th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southwest region, there were 6,735 criminal justice studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 401 criminal justice studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer a degree in criminal justice studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality criminal justice studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the criminal justice studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region master’s degree criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 16 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminal Justice Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

#12 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Texas at Dallas landed the #1 spot on the list. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNT Dallas has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas at Dallas are $13,681, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at University of North Texas at Dallas

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Texas. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Texas is a large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 17 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT also took the #6 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at UNT

#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UTSA is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at UTSA

#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Tyler. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of Texas at Tyler is a public institution located in Tyler, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Tyler did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Tyler are $16,308, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at UT Tyler

#5

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Sam Houston State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Huntsville, Texas, and it awarded 43 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SHSU, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Sam Houston State University are $15,704.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Sam Houston State University

#6

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas
#13 in overall quality

MSU Texas ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Wichita Falls, Texas, and it awarded 7 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree criminal justice studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, MSU Texas has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Texas are $7,935, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full MSU Texas Criminal Justice Studies Report

#7

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Lamar University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Beaumont, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to 86 students in 2019-2020.

Lamar University also made our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lamar University are $15,699, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Lamar University

#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of Houston - Downtown did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Houston - Downtown is a fairly large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 22 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UH Downtown also made our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH Downtown are $15,739, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at UH Downtown

#9

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Angelo State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Angelo, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Angelo State also made our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Angelo State University are $14,396, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Angelo State University

#14 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

NMSU Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NMSU Main Campus are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Criminal Justice Studies Report

#5 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Arlington ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Arlington, Texas, this large public school handed out 29 degrees to qualified masters’s criminal justice studies students in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Arlington are $23,376, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Texas at Arlington Criminal Justice Studies Report

#12

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, Texas

West Texas A&M University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. West Texas A&M University is located in Canyon, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

West Texas A&M University also made our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at West Texas A&M University are $8,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at West Texas A&M University

#13

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#7 in overall quality

Tarleton State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Tarleton is located in Stephenville, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 32 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees to qualified students.

Tarleton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Tarleton are $15,485, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Tarleton

#14

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
#4 in overall quality

Grand Canyon University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 93 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grand Canyon University, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Canyon University are $11,436.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at Grand Canyon University

Hardin - Simmons University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hardin - Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Abilene, Texas. It awarded 1 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Hardin - Simmons not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Hardin - Simmons University are $14,320.

Read more about Criminal Justice Studies at Hardin - Simmons

#16

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas
#1 in overall quality

Texas Christian University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Texas Christian University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Fort Worth, Texas. It awarded 13 masters’s criminal justice studies degrees in 2019-2020.

TCU also made our “Best Criminal Justice Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Christian University are $32,268.

Read full report on Criminal Justice Studies at TCU

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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