Criminal justice programs in Texas
23 criminal justice programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free
14 schools offer these criminal justice programs, and Texas has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.
Police officers protect lives and property, and detectives gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes. The education needed ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree, and new officers usually attend a training academy before they start.1
In Texas, 7 of the 23 programs take students without a high school diploma, 15 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 1 asks for earlier courses first.
By kind, the 23 programs here are criminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree, 15 programs), crime scene and forensic science (4 programs), criminal justice certificate (3 programs) and law enforcement and investigation certificate (1 program).
See the 23 programsHow much do criminal justice programs cost in Texas?
- Two-year degrees (15 programs)
- $5,736 to $7,410most of them
- Other criminal justice programs (8 programs)
- $1,612 to $6,081most of them
What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.
In the typical program
- Finished the program
- 100%
- Working 6 months later
- 75%
- Earned a year, estimated
- about $23,300
- Length
- Not enough data
- 2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Texas may also offer criminal justice programs. How these figures are made
All 23 criminal justice programs in Texas approved for WIOA funding
Filters
23 programs
Criminal Justice AA Major code 42921 TAA ONLY
El Paso Community College
El Paso
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$21,700Price if you pay yourself$7,094Program website, Criminal Justice AA Major code 42921 TAA ONLY at El Paso Community CollegeMore details about Criminal Justice AA Major code 42921 TAA ONLY at El Paso Community College
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- 69%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,430
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $4,344
- Students counted
- 2,427
- Earned a year, estimated
- $21,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $7,094
Criminal Justice AS
Amarillo College
Amarillo
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$23,300Price if you pay yourself$5,2059 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Criminal Justice AS at Amarillo CollegeMore details about Criminal Justice AS at Amarillo College
- Finished
- 11%
- Working at 6 months
- 75%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,815
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $1,300
- Students counted
- 1,097
- Earned a year, estimated
- $23,300
- Price if you pay yourself
- $5,205
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 9
Criminal Justice (CRIJ.AA)
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$24,200Price if you pay yourself$6,3404 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Criminal Justice (CRIJ.AA) at Del Mar CollegeMore details about Criminal Justice (CRIJ.AA) at Del Mar College
- Finished
- 13%
- Working at 6 months
- 73%
- Earned in a quarter
- $6,041
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $2,284
- Students counted
- 450
- Earned a year, estimated
- $24,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,340
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 4
Law Enforcement Investigations Associate of Applied Science
Tyler Junior College
Tyler
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$23,600Price if you pay yourself$6,734Program website, Law Enforcement Investigations Associate of Applied Science at Tyler Junior CollegeMore details about Law Enforcement Investigations Associate of Applied Science at Tyler Junior College
- Finished
- 15%
- Working at 6 months
- 66%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,889
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $3,750
- Students counted
- 390
- Earned a year, estimated
- $23,600
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,734
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement AAS
McLennan Community College
Waco
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$20,900Price if you pay yourself$11,130Program website, Criminal Justice Law Enforcement AAS at McLennan Community CollegeMore details about Criminal Justice Law Enforcement AAS at McLennan Community College
- Finished
- 9%
- Working at 6 months
- 77%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,220
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $1,800
- Students counted
- 334
- Earned a year, estimated
- $20,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $11,130
Criminal Justice AAS
Angelina College
Lufkin
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$23,800Price if you pay yourself$7,524Program website, Criminal Justice AAS at Angelina CollegeMore details about Criminal Justice AAS at Angelina College
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- 88%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,949
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $4,200
- Students counted
- 295
- Earned a year, estimated
- $23,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $7,524
Criminal Justice AAS
Southwest Texas Junior College
Uvalde
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$19,200Price if you pay yourself$6,255Program website, Criminal Justice AAS at Southwest Texas Junior CollegeMore details about Criminal Justice AAS at Southwest Texas Junior College
- Finished
- 6%
- Working at 6 months
- 65%
- Earned in a quarter
- $4,792
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $1,075
- Students counted
- 233
- Earned a year, estimated
- $19,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,255
Criminal Justice Core Certificate
Angelina College
Lufkin
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$23,800Price if you pay yourself$1,649Program website, Criminal Justice Core Certificate at Angelina CollegeMore details about Criminal Justice Core Certificate at Angelina College
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- 83%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,959
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $1,000
- Students counted
- 219
- Earned a year, estimated
- $23,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $1,649
Criminal Justice AAS
Odessa College
Odessa
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$5,220Program website, Criminal Justice AAS at Odessa CollegeMore details about Criminal Justice AAS at Odessa College
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $1,000
- Students counted
- 182
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $5,220
Criminal Justice Corrections AAS
McLennan Community College
Waco
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$23,300Price if you pay yourself$8,040Program website, Criminal Justice Corrections AAS at McLennan Community CollegeMore details about Criminal Justice Corrections AAS at McLennan Community College
- Finished
- 6%
- Working at 6 months
- 82%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,816
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $1,500
- Students counted
- 146
- Earned a year, estimated
- $23,300
- Price if you pay yourself
- $8,040
Law Enforcement AAS
Coastal Bend College
Alice
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$28,200Price if you pay yourself$6,275Program website, Law Enforcement AAS at Coastal Bend CollegeMore details about Law Enforcement AAS at Coastal Bend College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- 100%
- Earned in a quarter
- $7,045
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $2,100
- Students counted
- 43
- Earned a year, estimated
- $28,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,275
Level 1 Certificate-Criminal Justice
Odessa College
Odessa
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$16,700Price if you pay yourself$1,500Program website, Level 1 Certificate-Criminal Justice at Odessa CollegeMore details about Level 1 Certificate-Criminal Justice at Odessa College
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- 76%
- Earned in a quarter
- $4,170
- Length
- 24 weeks, 24 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $500
- Students counted
- 34
- Earned a year, estimated
- $16,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $1,500
Law Enforcement Technology Peace Officer Specialization AAS
South Plains College
Based in Levelland, TX
Accredited school
Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$38,500Price if you pay yourself$6,253Program website, Law Enforcement Technology Peace Officer Specialization AAS at South Plains CollegeMore details about Law Enforcement Technology Peace Officer Specialization AAS at South Plains College
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- 67%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,628
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $2,031
- Students counted
- 34
- Earned a year, estimated
- $38,500
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,253
Forensic Science Level 1
Coastal Bend College
Alice
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$35,100Price if you pay yourself$2,082Program website, Forensic Science Level 1 at Coastal Bend CollegeMore details about Forensic Science Level 1 at Coastal Bend College
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- 71%
- Earned in a quarter
- $8,777
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $1,100
- Students counted
- 12
Listed 2 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.
- Earned a year, estimated
- $35,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,082
Criminal Justice (associate)
Texas Southmost College
Based in Brownsville, TX
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$16,500Price if you pay yourself$5,073Program website, Criminal Justice (associate) at Texas Southmost CollegeMore details about Criminal Justice (associate) at Texas Southmost College
- Finished
- 31%
- Working at 6 months
- 67%
- Earned in a quarter
- $4,119
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $1,878
- Students counted
- 12
- Earned a year, estimated
- $16,500
- Price if you pay yourself
- $5,073
Level 1 Certificate-Crime Scene Investigation
Odessa College
Odessa
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$11,800Price if you pay yourself$1,500Program website, Level 1 Certificate-Crime Scene Investigation at Odessa CollegeMore details about Level 1 Certificate-Crime Scene Investigation at Odessa College
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- 83%
- Earned in a quarter
- $2,944
- Length
- 24 weeks, 24 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $500
- Students counted
- 11
- Earned a year, estimated
- $11,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $1,500
Forensic Science AAS
Coastal Bend College
Alice
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$6,016Program website, Forensic Science AAS at Coastal Bend CollegeMore details about Forensic Science AAS at Coastal Bend College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $2,100
- Students counted
- 27
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,016
Forensic Science Level 2
Coastal Bend College
Alice
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$4,295Program website, Forensic Science Level 2 at Coastal Bend CollegeMore details about Forensic Science Level 2 at Coastal Bend College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $1,100
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $4,295
Associate Of Arts Degree With A Field Of Study In Criminal Justice
Dallas College
Dallas
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$4,740School website, Associate Of Arts Degree With A Field Of Study In Criminal Justice at Dallas CollegeMore details about Associate Of Arts Degree With A Field Of Study In Criminal Justice at Dallas College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $4,740
Law Enforcement
Coastal Bend College
Alice
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$6,275Program website, Law Enforcement at Coastal Bend CollegeMore details about Law Enforcement at Coastal Bend College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $2,100
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,275
Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration
National University
Based in El Paso, TX
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$6,660Program website, Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration at National UniversityMore details about Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration at National University
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $1,752
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,660
Criminal Justice-Criminal Justice Option Law Enforcement AAS Taa Only
El Paso Community College
El Paso
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$7,297Program website, Criminal Justice-Criminal Justice Option Law Enforcement AAS Taa Only at El Paso Community CollegeMore details about Criminal Justice-Criminal Justice Option Law Enforcement AAS Taa Only at El Paso Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $4,344
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $7,297
Criminal Justice Associate
Joshua Career Institute
Based in Dallas, TX
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$8,000More details about Criminal Justice Associate at Joshua Career Institute
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- $250
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $8,000
No programs match these filters.
How to pay for criminal justice programs in Texas
WIOA funding can pay for criminal justice programs in Texas
Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?
Financial aid and grants for criminal justice programs
Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67
GI Bill for criminal justice programs
Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8
The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.
Quick facts: Criminal justice programs in Texas
- programs with a price cost under $5,000
- 6 of 23
- lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
- 5th of 24
- other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
- 0 of 16
- criminal justice programs here, against the typical state's 8
- 23 vs 8
State comparisons use the same figures as the criminal justice programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).
Criminal justice programs in Alice, Odessa, El Paso and other Texas cities
Choosing an area filters the program list above. 4 more programs are in 4 other areas and 4 online.
Other training in Texas
How criminal justice programs compare with the rest of public safety: First responder training in Texas
- CDL training162 programs
- CNA classes89 programs
- Medical assistant training139 programs
- Phlebotomy training72 programs
- Welding classes300 programs
- HVAC training181 programs
- Medical billing and coding training102 programs
- LPN programs86 programs
- EMT classes60 programs
- Electrician training117 programs
- Dental assistant programs79 programs
- Auto mechanic classes75 programs
- Pharmacy technician training77 programs
- Plumbing school73 programs
- CNC machinist training82 programs
- Carpentry classes17 programs
- Heavy equipment operator training11 programs
- Diesel mechanic training66 programs
- Cybersecurity training131 programs
- IT training400 programs
- Cosmetology school2 programs
- Barber school4 programs
- Esthetician school1 program
- Nail tech school1 program
- EKG technician programs21 programs
- Massage therapy school9 programs
- Paralegal programs42 programs
- Fire academy16 programs
- Police academy21 programs
- Surgical tech programs19 programs
- Radiology tech programs33 programs
- Culinary school10 programs
- Home health aide training1 program
- PTA programs20 programs
- Medical administrative assistant training75 programs
- Human resources training23 programs
- Medication aide training14 programs
- Industrial maintenance technician training132 programs
- Early childhood education programs33 programs
- Aircraft mechanic school36 programs
- Supply chain and logistics training42 programs
- Hospitality management programs6 programs
- Addiction counselor training4 programs
- Community health worker training4 programs
- Coding and software development courses66 programs
- Lineman school21 programs
- Sterile processing technician training8 programs
- Sonography school19 programs
- Data analytics courses40 programs
- Administrative assistant training141 programs
- Respiratory therapy programs16 programs
- Medical lab technician programs11 programs
- AutoCAD and drafting courses37 programs
- Digital marketing courses21 programs
- Web and graphic design courses29 programs
- Health information technology programs40 programs
- Vet tech programs4 programs
- Real estate school2 programs
- Security guard training1 program
- Patient care technician training34 programs
- OTA programs5 programs
- Crane operator training39 programs
- Interpreter and translator training12 programs
- Home inspector training6 programs
- Forklift certification12 programs
- Personal trainer certification3 programs
- Healthcare administration programs14 programs
- Customer service training18 programs
- Flight school2 programs
- MRI tech school1 program
- RBT certification training1 program
- Mental health technician training7 programs
- Human services programs2 programs
- Manufacturing technician training38 programs
- Electronics technician training55 programs
- Business administration programs93 programs
- Teacher assistant certification10 programs
- Auto body repair classes21 programs
- Merchant mariner training3 programs
- Solar and wind technician training19 programs
- Sheet metal training3 programs
- Water treatment operator training1 program
- OSHA safety training13 programs
- Dialysis technician training2 programs
- Optician training1 program
- Masonry training5 programs
- Insurance license courses5 programs
- Construction training programs80 programs
- Dental hygiene programs9 programs
- Accounting and bookkeeping classes120 programs
- RN programs109 programs
- Project management certification73 programs
Where the Texas criminal justice program numbers come from
Which Texas criminal justice programs are on this list?
These are the criminal justice programs Texas approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Texas offers.
How the prices and results of Texas criminal justice programs are measured
Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.
Sources for the facts about criminal justice programs in Texas
Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Police and Detectives
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
- US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
- Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
- US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
- US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
- US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List