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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for criminology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Millikin University earned the #1 spot for value among criminology schools in Illinois. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,036 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,209. Early-career criminology graduates make about $52,308. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at National Louis University earned it the #3 place for criminology. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Students borrow a median of $23,437 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $30,170. That is a strong return on a $23,437 median debt. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #4 place for criminology. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $37,645. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rockford College earned it the #5 place for criminology. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. Students from in state pay about $37,780 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $28,094. Criminology graduates of Rockford College earn a median of $56,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
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Depaul University earned the #6 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,226. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.