by our College Data Analytics TeamCriminology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools to find the best for criminology students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall criminology education in the Far Western Region.
Our analysis ranked San Jose State University the best school in the country for a degree in criminology. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 20 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the criminology program at San Jose State University
University Of California Irvine came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 403 criminology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $47,792 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete this degree. See the full criminology program report for University Of California Irvine
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 105 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $49,427 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,226. More information about a degree in criminology from California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Gonzaga University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 24 criminology degrees were awarded at Gonzaga University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminology degree from Gonzaga University earn around $38,028 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,994 to complete this degree. See the full criminology program report for Gonzaga University
Washington State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #5 spot this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Washington State University awarded about 169 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $54,697 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,903. More information about a degree in criminology from Washington State University
California State University San Marcos placed #6 among the best criminology schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. California State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. California State University San Marcos awarded about 178 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $34,694 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,810. See the full criminology program report for California State University San Marcos
San Diego State University placed #7 among the best criminology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 11 criminology students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from San Diego State University earn around $51,162 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminology program at San Diego State University
Eastern Washington University earned the #8 position for criminology this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Eastern Washington University graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 64 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Washington University in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $40,228 early in their careers. Eastern Washington University graduates carry a median of $19,295 in student loans. Read more about the criminology program at Eastern Washington University
Fresno Pacific University landed the #9 spot for criminology this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Fresno Pacific University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from Fresno Pacific University earn around $60,890 in the first couple years of their career. Fresno Pacific University graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Get the full criminology details for Fresno Pacific University
Alliant International University came in at #10 for criminology this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Alliant International University is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. There were roughly 17 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Alliant International University in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of Alliant International University earn a median of $70,024 early in their careers. Alliant International University graduates carry a median of $21,234 in student loans. See the full criminology program report for Alliant International University
California State University Fresno came in at #11 for criminology this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 362 criminology students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from California State University Fresno earn around $31,224 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,773 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminology program at California State University Fresno
California Lutheran University came in at #12 for criminology this year. California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Thousand Oaks. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 40 criminology students who graduated with this degree at California Lutheran University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $31,963 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,250. Get the full criminology details for California Lutheran University
Pacific Lutheran University placed #13 among the best criminology schools. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pacific Lutheran University awarded about 17 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $49,181 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,667. Read more about the criminology program at Pacific Lutheran University
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles landed the #14 spot for criminology this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 10 criminology degrees were awarded at The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $66,047 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,107. Get the full criminology details for The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles
University Of La Verne earned the #15 position for criminology this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Verne. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 53 criminology students who graduated with this degree at University Of La Verne in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $34,292. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full criminology program report for University Of La Verne
Humboldt State University placed #16 among the best criminology schools. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Humboldt State University awarded about 26 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $29,123 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,849. See the full criminology program report for Humboldt State University
Mount St Marys College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Mount St Marys College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Mount St Marys College generally make around $58,110. Mount St Marys College graduates carry a median of $33,495 in student loans. Read more about the criminology program at Mount St Marys College
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 23 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
