2026 Best Value Criminology Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

Our analysis ranked University Of California Irvine the best value for a degree in criminology in the United States. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, 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 $61,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

2

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the best values for criminology. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for criminology. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $10,773. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $31,224. That is a strong return on a $10,773 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #4. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,302 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

5

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Criminology graduates carry a median of $22,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $38,207. Set against $22,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #6 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $43,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

7

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #7 position for value in criminology this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

8

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University came in at #8 for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $24,747. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

9

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #9 among the best values for criminology. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Criminology graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

10

Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR

Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mayaguez. In-state tuition and fees average $6,550. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez generally make around $16,199. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

11

Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University earned the #11 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $26,000. Criminology graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $35,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.

12

University Of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA

University Of West Georgia came in at #12 for value in criminology this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Criminology graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $33,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.

13

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #13 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,187 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $41,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

14

Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University landed the #14 spot for criminology value this year. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Criminology graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $36,781 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

15

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Indiana, PA

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $45,821. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

16

Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $28,663. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $47,448. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

17

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo earned the #17 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $22,232. Early-career criminology graduates make about $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

18

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,449. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $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.

19

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama landed the #19 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.

20

Regis University
Denver, CO

Regis University placed #20 among the best values for criminology. Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $39,337. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $48,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regis University admits about 86% of applicants.

21

Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

Loyola University New Orleans landed the #21 spot for criminology value this year. Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,440. Criminology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $35,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University New Orleans admits about 93% of applicants.

22

Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA

Cedar Crest College landed the #22 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,314. Criminology graduates carry a median of $30,759 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $67,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

23

Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, PA

Saint Vincent College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,396. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $42,613. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.

24

Lasell College
Newton, MA

Lasell College landed the #24 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,040 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Lasell College earn a median of $137,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

25

St Johns University New York
Queens, NY

St Johns University New York landed the #25 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Criminology graduates carry a median of $25,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $35,868. Set against $25,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.