2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in Pennsylvania

1

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Indiana, PA

Leading the list is Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, our #1 best value for criminology in Pennsylvania. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $41,866 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

2

Pennsylvania Western University
California, PA

A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of the best values for criminology. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

3

Lycoming College
Williamsport, PA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lycoming College earned it the #3 place for criminology. Set in the city of Williamsport, Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,804 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Lycoming College generally make around $40,646. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

4

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Criminology graduates carry a median of $25,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $36,276. Set against $25,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.

5

Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA

A rank of #5 makes Cedar Crest College one of the best values for criminology. Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,314. Criminology graduates carry a median of $30,759 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Cedar Crest College earn a median of $67,662 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

6

Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, PA

Saint Vincent College placed #6 among the best values for criminology. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,396 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $40,088. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

7

Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University came in at #7 for value in criminology this year. Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. In-state tuition and fees average $43,496. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $64,004. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

8

Arcadia University
Glenside, PA

Arcadia University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,610. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $33,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

9

Lebanon Valley College
Annville, PA

Lebanon Valley College came in at #9 for value in criminology this year. Set in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,080. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $26,767. Early-career criminology graduates make about $38,828. That is a strong return on a $26,767 median debt. Lebanon Valley College admits about 84% of applicants.

10

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Criminology graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.

11

Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Josephs University earned the #11 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,260. Criminology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $48,934 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

12

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University placed #12 among the best values for criminology. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $40,229. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

13

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $26,184. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $72,601. Set against $26,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.