2026 Best Value Criminology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in criminology, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Criminology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $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

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $33,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

3

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for criminology. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $35,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

4

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #4 place for criminology. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $10,773. Criminology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $31,224 early in their careers. Set against $10,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

5

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $34,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

6

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #6 for value in criminology this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $17,226. Early-career criminology graduates make about $49,427. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.

7

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $14,810 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $34,694. That is a strong return on a $14,810 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Criminology graduates carry a median of $20,302 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $37,108. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

9

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #9 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Criminology graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $38,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.

10

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #10 among the best values for criminology. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Criminology graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Criminology graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #11 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Criminology graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis placed #13 among the best values for criminology. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,801 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

14

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University earned the #14 position for value in criminology this year. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $26,036. Criminology graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $58,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $16,149 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $35,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

16

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $19,500. Early-career criminology graduates make about $43,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

17

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University came in at #17 for value in criminology this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $19,295. Criminology graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $40,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,295 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

18

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine earned the #18 position for value in criminology this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $23,565 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $47,726. Set against $23,565 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

19

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University placed #19 among the best values for criminology. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $21,903. Criminology graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,697 early in their careers. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

20

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University came in at #20 for value in criminology this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Criminology graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Criminology graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

21

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University placed #21 among the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,970 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $39,769 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

22

Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University landed the #22 spot for criminology value this year. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $60,890. Set against $24,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Criminology graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

24

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University came in at #24 for value in criminology this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Criminology graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $52,308. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa earned the #25 position for value in criminology this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,683 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $43,914. That is a strong return on a $24,683 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.