by our College Data Analytics TeamCriminology is a major within the field of sociology that explores the behavior of criminals, causes of crime, and the criminal justice system that is in place today. Students who study this major gain a better understanding of why people choose to commit crimes, and what we can do to prevent and lower crime rates. Crime in our society, criminal psychology, and probation and the parole system are some subjects that will be discussed in class.
Classes you can expect to see while studying Criminology include: probation and parole; women and crime; social research; deviance; sociology; punishment; law; youth and crime; research methods; gender, crime, and justice; and policing society. You may have the opportunity to choose a concentration in Demography and Population studies.
A major in Criminology explores Criminology. Continue reading for the key facts every criminology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering criminology programs.
In the U.S., criminology is a popular field of study, with 10,365 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Criminology Schools ranking analyzes these 234 schools to determine the best overall colleges for criminology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of criminology programs later in this article.
Programs in Criminology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations criminology graduates commonly enter.
This major involves classes in the subjects of law, psychology, and society. The goal is for students to gain an understanding of criminal laws and policy. You will be required to study course cases, analyze data and utilize various research methods. Be prepared to work with your peers on group projects and presentations. Strong communication skills will help you succeed.
Critical thinking, reading, and writing skills will help you read, retain and report vast amounts of data and information. You will spend time writing research papers as well as applying theories learned from class to real life situations. Your writing and presentation skills should be clear and detailed. Many colleges will require you to complete an internship in the field before graduation.
Skills built by a criminology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a criminology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several criminology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 241 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 9,003 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,065 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 56 |
People currently working in careers related to criminology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 40.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 19.8% |
| Master’s degree | 8.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 7.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 6.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.8% |
| Some college courses | 2.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in criminology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Criminologists study crime and social behaviors and deviations from social norms. Within criminology you can work in corrections, counseling, criminal investigation, diversion programming, teaching, research and policy studies, intervention programs, and private investigation. Many criminologists have a minimum of a Master's Degree.
Majoring in criminology can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to criminology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to criminology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | 216,013 | 8.9% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Neuropsychologists | 186,493 | 6.5% |
| Sociologists | 143,776 | 3.0% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of criminology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,511 |
| 4 years | $47,469 |
| 5 years | $54,549 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for criminology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers criminology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Remote Sensing Technicians | $99,834 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $95,957 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
With 234 different criminology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased criminology school rankings to help you.
Those considering criminology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Criminology | 10,365 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 45,628 |
| Political Science and Government | 44,942 |
| Sociology | 31,380 |
| Social Sciences, General | 17,510 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 13,035 |
| Anthropology | 10,768 |
| Geography and Cartography | 7,105 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 1,942 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 1,343 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 496 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
