2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #1 spot for value among criminology schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $23,741. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

2

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $22,801 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $38,207 early in their careers. Set against $22,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.

3

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $24,683 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $43,914 early in their careers. Set against $24,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $41,780. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

5

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Criminology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.

6

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #6 for value in criminology this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,187 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $38,966 early in their careers. Set against $24,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #7 for value in criminology this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Students borrow a median of $23,887 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $42,562. Set against $23,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.

8

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University earned the #8 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.

9

Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Criminology graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $47,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.

10

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa earned the #10 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Criminology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $38,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.

11

Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $41,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

12

Hastings College
Hastings, NE

Hastings College earned the #12 position for value in criminology this year. Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hastings. In-state tuition and fees average $37,770. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Hastings College earn a median of $42,417 early in their careers. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hastings College admits about 72% of applicants.

13

Drury University
Springfield, MO

Drury University came in at #13 for value in criminology this year. Drury University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $36,745. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,641 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Drury University generally make around $37,267. Set against $26,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

14

William Penn University
Oskaloosa, IA

William Penn University placed #14 among the best values for criminology. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,750. Criminology graduates carry a median of $28,341 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from William Penn University generally make around $39,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

15

Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University placed #15 among the best values for criminology. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $43,447 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $43,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Saint Mary
Leavenworth, KS

University Of Saint Mary landed the #16 spot for criminology value this year. University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Leavenworth. Students from in state pay about $35,380 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,474. Early-career criminology graduates make about $42,633. That is a strong return on a $25,474 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

17

Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #17 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.

18

Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University earned the #18 position for value in criminology this year. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,939. Early-career criminology graduates make about $57,152. That is a strong return on a $25,939 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

19

Benedictine College
Atchison, KS

Benedictine College placed #19 among the best values for criminology. Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Atchison. In-state tuition and fees average $36,350. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $46,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

20

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #20 for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Criminology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $41,780. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.