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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in North Carolina

4 Colleges in the United States
$25,376 Avg Student Debt
$54,247 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Criminology Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminology schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in North Carolina

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

1

Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, our #1 best value for criminology in North Carolina. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $24,673. Early-career criminology graduates make about $51,799. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Carolina University earned it the #2 place for criminology. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $24,747. Early-career criminology graduates make about $51,931. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #3 place for criminology. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $21,875. Early-career criminology graduates make about $35,076. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

4

Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,915 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $34,443 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

5

Johnson C Smith University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #5 spot this year. Johnson C Smith University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,300. Criminology graduates carry a median of $32,047 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Johnson C Smith University generally make around $32,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

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6
Peace College crest
Peace College
Raleigh, NC

Peace College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, Peace College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,176. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Peace College generally make around $41,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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