2026 Best Value Criminology Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $35,096. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #2 place for criminology. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $33,798 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

3

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $35,096. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

A rank of #4 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for criminology. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $10,773. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $31,224. Set against $10,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

5

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $47,792. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.

6

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. That is a strong return on a $17,226 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

8

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos earned the #8 position for value in criminology this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $14,810. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $34,694. Set against $14,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

9

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $20,302. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $37,108. That is a strong return on a $20,302 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

10

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury placed #10 among the best values for criminology. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Students borrow a median of $17,800 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $38,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #11 among the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

12

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #12 spot for criminology value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $20,798. Criminology graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

13

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Capital Community College landed the #13 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College placed #14 among the best values for criminology. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $28,987 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University came in at #15 for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Criminology graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.

16

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #16 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.

17

Paris Junior College
Paris, TX

Paris Junior College came in at #17 for value in criminology this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Criminology graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #18 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $22,801. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $38,207. Set against $22,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

19

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University earned the #19 position for value in criminology this year. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $26,036. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $58,852. Set against $26,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.

20

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #20 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $16,149 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $43,090. Set against $16,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #21 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Criminology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.

22

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #22 for value in criminology this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $43,698 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

23

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University came in at #23 for value in criminology this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $19,295 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $40,228 early in their careers. Set against $19,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine placed #24 among the best values for criminology. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Students borrow a median of $23,565 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,565 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

25

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University placed #25 among the best values for criminology. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Criminology graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $54,697. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.