2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in Texas
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminology students.
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2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminology Schools
Paris Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among criminology schools in Texas. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin one of the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Criminology graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $16,149 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $43,090. That is a strong return on a $16,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $34,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #6 for value in criminology this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $40,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Texas placed #8 among the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Criminology graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #9 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $24,271. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
St Marys University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,434. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $33,978. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. St Marys University admits about 98% of applicants.
Howard Payne University came in at #11 for value in criminology this year. Located in the town of Brownwood, Howard Payne University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,982 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $24,734. Criminology graduates of Howard Payne University earn a median of $45,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
More Criminology Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
