Rankings / By State
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas
- 50
- Schools
- $46,403
- Avg. Earnings
- 36%
- Avg. Graduation
- $11,615
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,058
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $32,992 to $58,826, a 1.8× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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College of the Mainland delivers the most for the money: roughly $39,639 in median earnings against $1,342 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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College of the Mainland is the lowest-cost school here at $1,342 a year in net price.
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Saint Edward's University graduates 63% of its students, versus a 36% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Alvin Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.10× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Sam Houston State University ($54,211 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Saint Edward's University ($58,826), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- College of the Mainland costs $1,342 a year and Saint Edward's University costs $25,578. Yet their graduates earn $39,639 and $58,826, nowhere near the $24,236 price gap.
- On value, College of the Mainland beats Saint Edward's University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with College of the Mainland and Saint Edward's University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $46K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam Houston State University #1 overall | $54,211 ▲ +17% vs avg | $16,404 | 55% | 79 |
| 2 East Texas A&M University #2 overall | $50,296 ▲ +8% vs avg | $11,841 | 44% | 77 |
| 3 University of North Texas #3 overall | $57,010 ▲ +23% vs avg | $15,649 | 60% | 73 |
| $56,906 ▲ +23% vs avg | $16,805 | 56% | 72 | |
| $38,678 ▼ -17% vs avg | $10,682 | 29% | 72 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $46,403 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 36% and an average net price of $11,615.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: College of the Mainland — Net Price: $1,342 | Graduation Rate: 30%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Saint Edward's University — 63% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Saint Edward's University — Median alumni earnings: $58,826
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Legal Profession Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the legal profession and the justice system?
$45,639
Median earnings (10yr)
33%
Median graduation rate
$10,374
Median net price
2.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Law and criminal-justice programs feed careers where outcomes hinge on two numbers most rankings ignore: bar passage and employment in the field. Salaries are famously bimodal, with a cluster at large firms and a long tail in public-interest and government roles. Debt loads can be heavy, so program quality carries unusual stakes.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 33%. Median graduate earnings reach $45,639 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $10,374 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $18,852. Some 42% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.3%.
What we’re seeing: the gap between programs with strong bar-passage and placement records and the rest is wide, and debt makes that gap consequential. Median earnings of $45,639 against $18,852 in typical debt show why fit and outcomes matter more here than prestige alone.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Sam Houston State University lands at #1 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $54,211 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,404 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
East Texas A&M University lands at #2 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $50,296 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,841 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of North Texas lands at #3 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,010 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,649 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Texas State University lands at #4 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $56,906 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,805 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Temple College lands at #5 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $38,678 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,682 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
The University of Texas at El Paso lands at #6 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,923 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,403 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Lamar University lands at #7 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $49,652 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,366 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
San Antonio, TX · 87% accepted · $10,836 net
Why it ranks #8
The University of Texas at San Antonio lands at #8 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $57,131 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,836 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Angelo State University lands at #9 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,116 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,091 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Sul Ross State University lands at #10 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $41,871 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,286 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
North Central Texas College lands at #11 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $45,809 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,587 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Tarleton State University lands at #12 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $53,040 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,783 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
College of the Mainland lands at #13 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $39,639 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,342 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Wayland Baptist University lands at #14 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $51,838 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,590 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Texas A & M International University lands at #15 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $48,386 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,637 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Wharton County Junior College lands at #16 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,960 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,666 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Amarillo College lands at #17 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $41,302 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,600 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Odessa College lands at #18 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $42,026 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,368 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Hill College lands at #19 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $39,572 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,577 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Hardin-Simmons University lands at #20 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,771 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,555 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Tarrant County College District lands at #21 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,727 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,337 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
McLennan Community College lands at #22 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $39,163 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,051 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Texas Wesleyan University lands at #23 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,053 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,066 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
South Plains College lands at #24 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $41,276 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,791 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Our Lady of the Lake University lands at #25 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $48,675 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,442 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Edinburg, TX · 94% accepted · $4,831 net
Why it ranks #26
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley lands at #26 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $49,620 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,831 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
El Paso Community College lands at #27 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $35,212 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,206 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Tyler Junior College lands at #28 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $38,140 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,206 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
East Texas Baptist University lands at #29 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $52,788 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,911 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Lubbock Christian University lands at #30 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $53,787 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,456 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Vernon College lands at #31 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $40,464 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,404 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Weatherford College lands at #32 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $42,397 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,967 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Alvin Community College lands at #33 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $45,762 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,525 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
University of Houston-Downtown lands at #34 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,551 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,542 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Wiley University lands at #35 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (68/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $33,159 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,092 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
San Antonio College lands at #36 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $39,711 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,585 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Texas Southern University lands at #37 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $38,924 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,590 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
St. Mary's University lands at #38 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $56,955 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,145 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Texas A&M University-Victoria lands at #39 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $54,467 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,109 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Austin Community College District lands at #40 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $43,177 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,390 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Saint Edward's University lands at #41 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $58,826 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,578 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Texas A&M University-Texarkana lands at #42 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $45,515 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,997 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Texas A&M University-Kingsville lands at #43 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (66/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $51,450 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,090 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Prairie View A & M University lands at #44 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $45,411 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,570 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Corpus Christi, TX · 89% accepted · $15,225 net
Why it ranks #45
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi lands at #45 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $51,865 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,225 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Navarro College lands at #46 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (36/100). Graduates earn a median $38,716 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,820 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Howard College lands at #47 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by social mobility (45/100). Graduates earn a median $38,382 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,147 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Texas Southmost College lands at #48 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by social mobility (37/100). Graduates earn a median $41,900 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,085 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Jarvis Christian University lands at #49 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $32,992 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,825 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Huston-Tillotson University lands at #50 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,937 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,719 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
If you're considering a degree in criminal justice in Texas, you're not alone. This field attracts many students looking for a career in law enforcement, legal services, or social work, among other paths. Across the state, 50 colleges offer programs designed to prepare students for these roles.
What sets the top programs apart are their outcomes: earnings after graduation, completion rates, and the burden of debt students carry. For instance, Sam Houston State University graduates earn an average of $54,211, significantly higher than the average earnings of $46,205 for all schools on this list. This indicates a strong return on investment, which is crucial when weighing options.
Take, for example, the contrast between The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and College of the Mainland. While UT Rio Grande Valley graduates earn $49,620, College of the Mainland students average $39,639. However, the net price at College of the Mainland is just $1,342, compared to $4,831 at UT Rio Grande Valley. This difference illustrates the trade-offs students must navigate when choosing a program.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 35 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.3%. The University of Texas at El Paso leads the group at 6.8%, with Sul Ross State University (5.2%) and El Paso Community College (4.8%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 14.7% of students start in the bottom income quintile. El Paso Community College leads at 40.9%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 17.3% across this list. East Texas A&M University posts the highest success rate at 44.7%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.31 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Hardin-Simmons University reaches 1.73, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing schools, one pattern stands out: the stark difference in outcomes between programs. For example, Sam Houston State University not only has the highest earnings at $54,211 but also a graduation rate of 55%. In contrast, Texas A & M International University offers lower earnings at $48,386 and a graduation rate of 48%. This indicates that not all programs are created equal in terms of preparing students for the workforce.
After reviewing the data, consider your priorities. If financial aid is crucial, look at schools like College of the Mainland with a low net price. If earning potential is your top concern, Sam Houston State University might be the better choice despite a higher cost. Weigh these factors against your personal situation, whether that’s location preferences or program specifics.
The journey from college to a stable career can be complicated. Choosing the right criminal justice program is a critical decision for families. With the right information, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your goals and financial realities. Remember that every path can lead to a different outcome, and understanding these metrics can guide your family toward a successful future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas ranking? +
Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $54,211 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 55% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Saint Edward's University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $58,826 ten years after enrollment, well above the $46,403 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, College of the Mainland leads: graduates earn a median $39,639 against net price of about $1,342 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Saint Edward's University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 63%, compared with a 36% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $11,615 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. College of the Mainland is among the most affordable at roughly $1,342. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
