DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/criminology/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/criminology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/criminology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/criminology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/criminology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/criminology/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/criminology/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 10
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 45.04), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Criminology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Criminology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Criminology (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Criminal Justice - Criminology & Crime Analysis" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Criminal Justice - Criminology & Crime Analysis" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "AS in Criminal Justice" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "AS in Criminal Justice" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Criminal Justice" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Criminal Justice" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Criminal Justice" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Criminal Justice" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminal Justice & Law Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Criminal Justice & Law Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Law Enforcement (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Law Enforcement (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 6
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 2 offers with relevance >= 1.0
2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminology Schools
For return on investment in criminology, no school beat Cleveland State University this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,000. Criminology graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $32,393 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $37,476. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $21,922. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $39,396. That is a strong return on a $21,922 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at Bowling Green State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,449. Early-career criminology graduates make about $57,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Capital University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,234. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Early-career criminology graduates make about $32,984. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
