by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 249 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminology schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Capital Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools in the United States. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $12,059. Early-career criminology graduates make about $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #2. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $28,987. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Criminology graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Paris Junior College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
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Explore the best-value criminology schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 249 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.