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Police academy in Texas

21 police and corrections programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

18 schools offer these law enforcement 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. Applicants need at least a high school diploma, though some departments and federal agencies ask for college classes or a degree, and they usually must be 21 and meet strict physical and personal standards; most then graduate from their agency's training academy and train on the job.1

In Texas, 5 of the 21 programs take students without a high school diploma and 16 ask for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 21 programs here are police academy (basic law enforcement, 15 programs), law enforcement certificate (3 programs) and corrections certificate (3 programs).

See the 21 programs

How much does police academy cost in Texas?

$2,640 to $5,949 is what most police and corrections programs in Texas cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 21 programs with a price. All of them: $1,500 to $15,205

In the typical program

Finished the program
81%
Working 6 months later
82%
Earned a year, estimated
about $46,600
Length
Not enough data
1 program reports 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 police academy training. How these figures are made

Is there free police academy training in Texas?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 21 police and corrections programs in Texas approved for WIOA funding

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21 programs

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Basic Peace Officer Non-Credit (TAA only)

    El Paso Community College

    El Paso

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    El Paso Community College, El PasoPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$60,400
    Price if you pay yourself$2,990
    Program website, Basic Peace Officer Non-Credit (TAA only) at El Paso Community College
    More details about Basic Peace Officer Non-Credit (TAA only) at El Paso Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    88%
    Earned in a quarter
    $15,094
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $880
    Students counted
    1,491
    Earned a year, estimated
    $60,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,990
    Program website, Basic Peace Officer Non-Credit (TAA only) at El Paso Community College

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Basic Peace Officer

    Southwest Texas Junior College

    Uvalde

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southwest Texas Junior College, UvaldePolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$42,800
    Price if you pay yourself$13,133

    4 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Basic Peace Officer at Southwest Texas Junior College
    More details about Basic Peace Officer at Southwest Texas Junior College
    Finished
    79%
    Working at 6 months
    81%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,699
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,075
    Students counted
    387
    Earned a year, estimated
    $42,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $13,133
    students trained with WIOA funding
    4
    Program website, Basic Peace Officer at Southwest Texas Junior College

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Basic Police officer

    Central Texas College

    Killeen

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Central Texas College, KilleenPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$58,000
    Price if you pay yourself$6,840

    5 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Basic Police officer at Central Texas College
    More details about Basic Police officer at Central Texas College
    Finished
    89%
    Working at 6 months
    82%
    Earned in a quarter
    $14,502
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    274
    Earned a year, estimated
    $58,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,840
    students trained with WIOA funding
    5
    Program website, Basic Police officer at Central Texas College

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Certificate

    Amarillo College

    Amarillo

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Amarillo College, AmarilloPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$46,600
    Price if you pay yourself$2,704

    31 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Certificate at Amarillo College
    More details about Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Certificate at Amarillo College
    Finished
    53%
    Working at 6 months
    84%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,641
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,000
    Students counted
    264
    Earned a year, estimated
    $46,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,704
    students trained with WIOA funding
    31
    Program website, Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Certificate at Amarillo College

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Basic Peace Officer Academy Level 1

    Blinn College District

    Brenham

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Blinn College District, BrenhamPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$59,600
    Price if you pay yourself$12,887
    Program website, Basic Peace Officer Academy Level 1 at Blinn College District
    More details about Basic Peace Officer Academy Level 1 at Blinn College District
    Finished
    72%
    Working at 6 months
    90%
    Earned in a quarter
    $14,905
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,500
    Students counted
    213
    Earned a year, estimated
    $59,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $12,887
    Program website, Basic Peace Officer Academy Level 1 at Blinn College District

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)OnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Basic Peace Officer

    South Texas College

    Based in McAllen, TX

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Texas College, based in McAllen, TXPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$41,800
    Price if you pay yourself$3,337
    Program website, Basic Peace Officer at South Texas College
    More details about Basic Peace Officer at South Texas College
    Finished
    38%
    Working at 6 months
    82%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,456
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $35
    Students counted
    191
    Earned a year, estimated
    $41,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,337
    Program website, Basic Peace Officer at South Texas College

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personNo diploma needed

    Criminal Justice Basic Peace Officer Academy

    Vernon College

    Vernon

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Vernon College, VernonPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$53,300
    Price if you pay yourself$5,949
    Program website, Criminal Justice Basic Peace Officer Academy at Vernon College
    More details about Criminal Justice Basic Peace Officer Academy at Vernon College
    Finished
    81%
    Working at 6 months
    79%
    Earned in a quarter
    $13,320
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,024
    Students counted
    139
    Earned a year, estimated
    $53,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,949
    Program website, Criminal Justice Basic Peace Officer Academy at Vernon College

  • Law enforcement certificateHybridNo diploma needed

    Criminal Justice/Police Science

    Trinity Valley Community College

    Athens

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Trinity Valley Community College, AthensLaw enforcement certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$15,900
    Price if you pay yourself$2,640
    Program website, Criminal Justice/Police Science at Trinity Valley Community College
    More details about Criminal Justice/Police Science at Trinity Valley Community College
    Finished
    16%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $3,964
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,775
    Students counted
    123
    Earned a year, estimated
    $15,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,640
    Program website, Criminal Justice/Police Science at Trinity Valley Community College

  • Corrections certificateHybridNo diploma needed

    Corrections

    Trinity Valley Community College

    Athens

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Trinity Valley Community College, AthensCorrections certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$10,100
    Price if you pay yourself$2,640
    Program website, Corrections at Trinity Valley Community College
    More details about Corrections at Trinity Valley Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    71%
    Earned in a quarter
    $2,531
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,775
    Students counted
    120

    Listed 4 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.

    Earned a year, estimated
    $10,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,640
    Program website, Corrections at Trinity Valley Community College

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Basic Peace Officer Certification

    Angelina College

    Lufkin

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Angelina College, LufkinPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$48,000
    Price if you pay yourself$2,500

    3 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Basic Peace Officer Certification at Angelina College
    More details about Basic Peace Officer Certification at Angelina College
    Finished
    82%
    Working at 6 months
    94%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,006
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    118
    Earned a year, estimated
    $48,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,500
    students trained with WIOA funding
    3
    Program website, Basic Peace Officer Certification at Angelina College

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Police Academy

    Lamar Institute of Technology

    Beaumont

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Lamar Institute of Technology, BeaumontPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$68,000
    Price if you pay yourself$15,205
    Program website, Police Academy at Lamar Institute of Technology
    More details about Police Academy at Lamar Institute of Technology
    Finished
    98%
    Working at 6 months
    92%
    Earned in a quarter
    $16,998
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $755
    Students counted
    118
    Earned a year, estimated
    $68,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $15,205
    Program website, Police Academy at Lamar Institute of Technology

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personNo diploma needed

    Basic Peace Officer (BAPO.CER1)

    Del Mar College

    Corpus Christi

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Del Mar College, Corpus ChristiPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$49,900
    Price if you pay yourself$2,181
    Program website, Basic Peace Officer (BAPO.CER1) at Del Mar College
    More details about Basic Peace Officer (BAPO.CER1) at Del Mar College
    Finished
    77%
    Working at 6 months
    86%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,468
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,347
    Students counted
    110
    Earned a year, estimated
    $49,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,181
    Program website, Basic Peace Officer (BAPO.CER1) at Del Mar College

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)OnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Law Enforcement Police Academy

    South Plains College

    Based in Levelland, TX

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Plains College, based in Levelland, TXPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$47,400
    Price if you pay yourself$2,863
    Program website, Law Enforcement Police Academy at South Plains College
    More details about Law Enforcement Police Academy at South Plains College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    92%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,839
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $118
    Students counted
    102
    Earned a year, estimated
    $47,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,863
    Program website, Law Enforcement Police Academy at South Plains College

  • Corrections certificateHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice Corrections Level I Certificate

    McLennan Community College

    Waco

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    McLennan Community College, WacoCorrections certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$34,500
    Price if you pay yourself$10,957
    Program website, Criminal Justice Corrections Level I Certificate at McLennan Community College
    More details about Criminal Justice Corrections Level I Certificate at McLennan Community College
    Finished
    31%
    Working at 6 months
    71%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,619
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,000
    Students counted
    61
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,957
    Program website, Criminal Justice Corrections Level I Certificate at McLennan Community College

  • Law enforcement certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Fundamentals of Law Enforcement Level 1 Certificate

    Coastal Bend College

    Alice

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Coastal Bend College, AliceLaw enforcement certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$17,900
    Price if you pay yourself$1,744
    Program website, Fundamentals of Law Enforcement Level 1 Certificate at Coastal Bend College
    More details about Fundamentals of Law Enforcement Level 1 Certificate at Coastal Bend College
    Finished
    97%
    Working at 6 months
    70%
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,485
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,100
    Students counted
    56
    Earned a year, estimated
    $17,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,744
    Program website, Fundamentals of Law Enforcement Level 1 Certificate at Coastal Bend College

  • Law enforcement certificateHybridNo diploma needed

    Level 1 Certificate-Law Enforcement

    Odessa College

    Odessa

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Odessa College, OdessaLaw enforcement certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$15,600
    Price if you pay yourself$1,500
    Program website, Level 1 Certificate-Law Enforcement at Odessa College
    More details about Level 1 Certificate-Law Enforcement at Odessa College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    62%
    Earned in a quarter
    $3,899
    Length
    24 weeks, 24 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    26
    Earned a year, estimated
    $15,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,500
    Program website, Level 1 Certificate-Law Enforcement at Odessa College

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Peace Officer Certification

    Texas Southmost College

    Brownsville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Texas Southmost College, BrownsvillePolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$33,000
    Price if you pay yourself$5,147
    Program website, Peace Officer Certification at Texas Southmost College
    More details about Peace Officer Certification at Texas Southmost College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    91%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,241
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $1,461
    Students counted
    23
    Earned a year, estimated
    $33,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,147
    Program website, Peace Officer Certification at Texas Southmost College

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Odessa College Law Enforcement Training Academy

    Odessa College

    Odessa

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Odessa College, OdessaPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,500
    Program website, Odessa College Law Enforcement Training Academy at Odessa College
    More details about Odessa College Law Enforcement Training Academy at Odessa College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $500
    Students counted
    15
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,500
    Program website, Odessa College Law Enforcement Training Academy at Odessa College

  • Corrections certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Correctional Science Level 1 Certificate

    Coastal Bend College

    Alice

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Coastal Bend College, AliceCorrections certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,397
    Program website, Correctional Science Level 1 Certificate at Coastal Bend College
    More details about Correctional Science Level 1 Certificate 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
    $2,397
    Program website, Correctional Science Level 1 Certificate at Coastal Bend College

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Police Academy

    Victoria College

    Victoria

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Victoria College, VictoriaPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,995
    Program website, Police Academy at Victoria College
    More details about Police Academy at Victoria College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $655
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,995
    Program website, Police Academy at Victoria College

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Basic Peace Officer

    Dallas College

    Dallas

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Dallas College, DallasPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,031
    Program website, Basic Peace Officer at Dallas College
    More details about Basic Peace Officer at Dallas College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $185
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,031
    Program website, Basic Peace Officer at Dallas College

How to pay for police academy training in Texas

WIOA funding can pay for police academy training 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 police academy training

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 police academy training

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: Police academy in Texas

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
6th of 17
police and corrections programs here, against the typical state's 7
21 vs 7

State comparisons use the same figures as the police academy training 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).

Police academy in Athens, Alice, Odessa and other Texas cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 10 more programs are in 10 other areas and 2 online.

Other training in Texas

How police academy training compares with the rest of public safety: First responder training in Texas

Where the Texas law enforcement program numbers come from

Which Texas law enforcement programs are on this list?

These are the law enforcement 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 law enforcement 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 police academy training in Texas

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Police and Detectives
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. 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)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. 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