Key takeaways
- As an aspiring criminal justice professional in the US, you will find the best criminal justice schools in Texas.
- Texas has a comprehensive criminal justice system because of the high crime rate in the state, which increases the demand for qualified professionals in the field.
- Criminal justice programs in Texas emphasize practical learning through internships, fieldwork, and industry connections.
- Criminal Justice programs in Texas offer a multidisciplinary approach, combining criminological theory, law, ethics, social diversity, and criminal justice processes.
- Graduates are equipped to pursue careers in diverse fields, including law enforcement, corrections, victim advocacy, social work, criminology research, and so on.
- Renowned criminal justice universities in Texas include the University of Houston, the University of Texas at Austin, Sam Houston University, and more.
- With a degree from the best criminal justice schools in Texas, you can pursue criminology careers such as criminal profiler, crime analyst, police officer, corrections officer, and so on.
The field of criminology involves more than just studying crime or its punishment. It takes a deep dive into the complexities of human behavior to understand what it is that pushes people to commit crimes. Additionally it explores law enforcement, societal structures, and justice systems. If you are considering a career in criminology, Texas is home to some of the most well-regarded programs in the country.
The state offers a variety of excellent educational institutions in major metropolitan cities like Dallas and Austin, as well as Academic hubs like Austin and College Station. This guide explores some of the best criminal justice schools in Texas. Additionally, it also outlines criminology careers you can pursue with a degree in criminal justice or criminology.
Why choose criminal justice colleges in Texas?
Texas is one of the largest and most diverse states in the USA. It has a rich legal history and a broad, dynamic criminal justice system. The state features a comprehensive and very complex criminal justice system born out of necessity owing to the high crime rates. In fact, Texas has the highest number of prisoners compared to any other state in the United States. According to Statista, Texas is the champion of capital punishment, having executed 598 people between 1976 and August 2024.
Thus, the state is home to numerous criminal justice colleges that offer cutting-edge programs tailored to the evolving demands of modern society. These colleges cover a variety of fields like forensic science, homeland security, and corrections, ensuring that aspiring criminal justice professionals will find a program of their choice.
Moreover, studying at one of the best criminal justice colleges in Texas provides students with valuable industry connections to law enforcement and government agencies. Additionally, they benefit from hands-on learning experiences through internships and fieldwork and enjoy access to research opportunities in criminology and justice reform. They also benefit from the support of strong alumni networks and job placement services.
List of the best criminal justice schools in Texas
Texas’s educational landscape is filled with excellent educational institutions offering some of the best criminal justice and criminology programs in the US. Given the high crime rate in the state, the presence of a vast number of criminal justice programs comes as no surprise. However, as an aspiring professional, there are a few considerations you must make when choosing from the top criminal justice programs in Texas. These include:
- Mode of learning – In-person/ hybrid/ online
- Class size – Do you desire personalized attention, or are you okay with larger classrooms?
- Faculty experience – Consider programs featuring faculty with professional achievements.
- Hands-on learning opportunities – you can only learn so much in the classroom, which is why give preference to programs offering hands-on learning opportunities.
Here are the top 5 criminal justice colleges in Texas with program details to help you choose one that feels right for you.
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin offers a Criminal Justice, Law, and Inequality Bridging Disciplines Program (BDP). The program features a multidisciplinary curriculum, allowing students the opportunity to explore the institutions that shape the criminal legal systems. Through the program, students develop an in-depth understanding of policing, courts, and prisons. It takes on a holistic approach to criminal justice academics, drawing on multiple disciplines. These include sociology, law, history, government, social work, education, and ethnic and gender studies.
Related: What associates in criminal justice jobs offer the best career growth?
Here, students will examine the legitimacy, impact, and evolution of the criminal legal system in the United States. The program explores criminal justice in historical and contemporary contexts. Moreover, the program also introduces students to research-based approaches to understand how crime is defined. Additionally, it focuses on understanding why some individuals turn to a life of crime, its impact on their lives and on society as a whole, among other topics.
If you are looking for a well-rounded program that will prepare you for a variety of careers in criminology and criminal justice, the University of Texas at Austin is a great choice for you.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Austin, Texas | 29.1% | 87.5% | $11,678 in-state
$42,778 out-of-state |
Sam Houston State University
The College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected programs. The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology provides Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in Criminal Justice. Students can pursue both programs, either on campus or online, offering ultimate flexibility.
The program curriculum features a diverse range of courses, including cybercrime, police systems, correctional systems, victimology, criminal justice, social diversity, and more. Moreover, the college offers an internship program, allowing senior students to gain practical learning experience. Through the program, students can secure internships in organizations such as INTERPOL, the FBI, and local police departments. Moreover, they can secure psych ward internships for criminology careers.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Huntsville, Texas | 85.4% | 56.8% | $9,228 in-state
$19,020 out-of-state |
Texas A&M University
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at Texas A&M University prepares students for careers in both the public and private sectors. Students can pursue employment opportunities in law enforcement, corrections, research, and more at the national, state, and local levels. The program is led by highly qualified faculty with both practical and academic expertise, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education.
Students benefit from a supportive learning environment that encourages exploration within various areas of criminal justice, such as law enforcement, corrections, courts, and victimology. The program curriculum features a blend of theoretical knowledge with practical skills. It is designed to provide a strong foundation for a range of careers or further study in criminal justice such as the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| College Station, Texas | 63.2% | 83.3% | $13,099 in-state
$40,328 out-of-state |
University of Houston
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) features a strong curriculum designed to provide students with a solid foundation in criminological theories and criminal justice processes. It features a heavy emphasis on developing critical communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills. The program aims to prepare students for leadership roles in criminal justice and related fields, as well as for further academic studies.
Graduates of the program will be equipped to analyze crime and justice issues, apply criminological theories, and communicate effectively on criminal justice topics. They will be able to tackle ethical challenges in the field of criminology. Additionally, they will use research and statistical methods to address criminal justice challenges, preparing them for professional roles.
With a BS in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston, you will be able to pursue careers in criminal justice, public service. Moreover, you will possess a strong foundation and be able to pursue law or graduate studies.
Related: How does a criminology degree prepare you for ethical challenges in forensic psychology?
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Houston, Texas | 69.5% | 64.8% | $9,711 in-state
$22,191 out-of-state |
University of North Texas
University of North Texas’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice equips students with the knowledge and skills to build safer, more just communities. The program prepares graduates for rewarding careers in various sectors, including law enforcement, corrections, court-related roles, nonprofit organizations, private sector security, and more.
What sets UNT’s program apart is its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service. Led by nationally recognized scholars, the criminal justice program focuses on the development of interdisciplinary solutions to complex issues of crime and disorder. The curriculum covers a broad range of subjects, from criminal justice policy and criminological theory to ethics and research methods.
It aims to provide students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for both careers and graduate studies in criminology and criminal justice.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Denton, Texas | 72.5% | 59.8% | $11,164 in-state
$21,244 out-of-state |
What criminology careers can you pursue with a degree from the best criminology schools in Texas?
A criminal justice degree, especially one from top criminology schools in Texas, prepares you for a variety of criminology careers. Here are some that you can explore, along with their salary information to help you choose a career that suits your requirements. Whether you are looking for high-paying criminal justice jobs or an opportunity that will make a positive and lasting impact on society, a criminal justice degree is ideal for you.
| Job title | Average salary |
| FBI Criminal Profiler | $93,000 per year |
| Crime Analyst | $81,445 per year |
| Police Officer | $72,280 per year |
| Social Worker | $59,331 per year |
| Victim Advocate | $60,748 per year |
| Intelligence Analyst | $96,949 per year |
| Corrections Officer | $45,180 per year |
| Criminal Psychologist – additional training required | $92,813 per year |
You may also be interested in: Highest-paying criminology jobs in the US
Pursue criminology careers with a degree from good criminal justice schools in Texas!
Criminal justice programs in Texas offer academic excellence, hands-on learning, as well as abundant experiential learning opportunities through internships and job placement programs. There are a plethora of excellent criminal justice schools in Texas, featuring comprehensive curricula in the field of criminal justice and criminology.
Related: Find jobs for criminology majors in the US
So, if you want to obtain interdisciplinary knowledge and skills that will help you overcome the ethical challenges in fields like forensic psychology and criminology, consider attending one of the best criminal justice schools in Texas. Through these programs, you can develop in-depth knowledge of criminal justice administration and systems. Moreover, with a degree from the top criminal justice schools in Texas you become eligible for a wide range of criminal justice and criminology careers.