2026 Best Criminology Schools

1

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison tops our 2026 ranking of the best criminology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 190 criminology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminology from University Of Wisconsin Madison

2

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for criminology. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 criminology students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Read more about the criminology program at San Jose State University

3

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

Students looking for a strong criminology program will find one at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 338 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $43,698 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in criminology from University Of Maryland College Park

4

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminology, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. About 41 criminology degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Criminology graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155. More information about a degree in criminology from University Of Pennsylvania

5

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #5 spot this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 10 criminology degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910. Get the full criminology details for George Washington University

6

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #6 spot for criminology this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 94 criminology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $41,780. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full criminology program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

7

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #7 for criminology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 403 criminology degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $47,792. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminology from University Of California Irvine

8

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 11 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $51,799 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete this degree. See the full criminology program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

9

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best criminology schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 162 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $39,396 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,922 in student loans. Get the full criminology details for Ohio State University Main Campus

10

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #10 spot for criminology this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 86 criminology degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminology degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $35,076 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875. Read more about the criminology program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

11

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #11 spot for criminology this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 169 criminology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $35,096 in their early career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full criminology details for University Of Florida

12

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah came in at #12 for criminology this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Utah awarded about 137 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminology from University Of Utah

13

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #13 for criminology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. About 68% of students finish within six years. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 105 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $49,427 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete this degree. See the full criminology program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

14

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Newark. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 88 criminology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $35,968. Students borrow a median of $23,685 to complete this degree. See the full criminology program report for University Of Delaware

15

Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University placed #15 among the best criminology schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Spokane. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Gonzaga University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $38,028 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,994 to complete this degree. Get the full criminology details for Gonzaga University

16

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice landed the #16 spot for criminology this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 165 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $33,798. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Read more about the criminology program at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

17

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #17 for criminology this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 58 criminology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $38,520. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full criminology program report for University Of Iowa

18

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. About 87% of students finish within six years. Clemson University awarded about 104 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $38,057 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete this degree. Get the full criminology details for Clemson University

19

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University landed the #19 spot for criminology this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 169 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from Washington State University earn around $54,697 in the first couple years of their career. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminology from Washington State University

20

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #20 spot for criminology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richardson. About 76% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Dallas awarded about 77 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $40,603. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminology from The University Of Texas At Dallas

21

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #21 position for criminology this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 criminology degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $42,562. Typical student debt for the program is $23,887. Read more about the criminology program at University Of Minnesota Duluth

22

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates 54% of students within six years. About 53 criminology degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $60,324 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminology from University Of Missouri Kansas City

23

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. University At Buffalo awarded about 85 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232. Get the full criminology details for University At Buffalo

24

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos placed #24 among the best criminology schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. California State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. About 178 criminology degrees were awarded at California State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $34,694. Typical student debt for the program is $14,810. See the full criminology program report for California State University San Marcos

25

Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University earned the #25 position for criminology this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wilkes University awarded about 12 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $64,004 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete this degree. See the full criminology program report for Wilkes University