2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in California
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminology students.
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2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminology Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Fresno the best value for a degree in criminology in California. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Criminology graduates carry a median of $10,773 in student loans. Criminology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $31,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,773 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $14,810 in student loans. 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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #3 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Criminology graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Criminology graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #4 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, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $47,792. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jose State University earned it the #5 place for criminology. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,849 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $29,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Fresno Pacific University landed the #7 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Criminology graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. Set against $24,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
San Diego State University placed #8 among the best values for criminology. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $51,162. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Mount St Marys College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,564. Students borrow a median of $33,495 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Mount St Marys College earn a median of $58,110 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount St Marys College admits about 73% of applicants.
California Lutheran University landed the #10 spot for criminology value this year. Located in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,560. Criminology graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $31,963. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt. California Lutheran University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of La Verne landed the #11 spot for criminology value this year. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. Students from in state pay about $49,470 in tuition and fees. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $34,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
