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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Criminology Schools in the Southeast Region

27 Colleges in the United States
2,764 Criminology Degrees Awarded
$42,067 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 schools to find the best for criminology students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Criminology in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall criminology education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Criminology

1

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte tops our 2026 ranking of the best criminology schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 11 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Get the full criminology details for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

2

Students looking for a strong criminology program will find one at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 86 criminology students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $35,076 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete this degree. Get the full criminology details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

3
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 169 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from University Of Florida earn around $35,096 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the criminology program at University Of Florida

4
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminology, ranking #4. 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. Criminology graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $38,057 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete this degree. See the full criminology program report for Clemson University

5
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

Students looking for a strong criminology program will find one at University Of Miami, which ranked #5. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 criminology degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $29,670 in their early career. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. See the full criminology program report for University Of Miami

6

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 434 criminology students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $37,108. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,302 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminology from University Of South Florida Main Campus

7

Mercer University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 12 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Mercer University in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $56,699 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $32,463. Read more about the criminology program at Mercer University

8

The University Of Alabama landed the #8 spot for criminology this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. About 73% of students finish within six years. The University Of Alabama awarded about 286 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,496. Read more about the criminology program at The University Of Alabama

9

East Carolina University came in at #9 for criminology this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 183 criminology degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $51,931 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,747. More information about a degree in criminology from East Carolina University

10

University Of Florida Online earned the #10 position for criminology this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 46 criminology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida Online in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from University Of Florida Online earn around $35,096 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full criminology program report for University Of Florida Online

11

University Of Central Arkansas placed #11 among the best criminology schools. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. University Of Central Arkansas awarded about 29 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $38,453 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,078 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminology program at University Of Central Arkansas

12

West Virginia University landed the #12 spot for criminology this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 147 criminology students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772. More information about a degree in criminology from West Virginia University

13

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #13 spot for criminology this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 93 criminology students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $34,443 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,915 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminology program at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

14

Old Dominion University landed the #14 spot for criminology this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 168 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $37,255 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full criminology details for Old Dominion University

15
Lynchburg College crest
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College landed the #15 spot for criminology this year. Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 35 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Lynchburg College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Lynchburg College generally make around $107,159. Read more about the criminology program at Lynchburg College

16

Randolph Macon College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 13 criminology degrees were awarded at Randolph Macon College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $40,317 in their early career. Randolph Macon College graduates carry a median of $26,432 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminology from Randolph Macon College

17

The University Of Tampa earned the #17 position for criminology this year. Set in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 149 criminology degrees were awarded at The University Of Tampa in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminology degree from The University Of Tampa earn around $37,758 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full criminology program report for The University Of Tampa

18
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University came in at #18 for criminology this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 48 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $33,191 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,356. Get the full criminology details for Mississippi State University

19

Florida Southern College landed the #19 spot for criminology this year. Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 22 criminology degrees were awarded at Florida Southern College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Florida Southern College generally make around $39,713. Florida Southern College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full criminology details for Florida Southern College

20

Loyola University New Orleans ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 67 criminology degrees were awarded at Loyola University New Orleans in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $35,578 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full criminology program report for Loyola University New Orleans

21

Davis And Elkins College came in at #21 for criminology this year. Davis And Elkins College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Elkins. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. Davis And Elkins College awarded about 10 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Davis And Elkins College generally make around $71,201. Typical student debt for the program is $26,250. Read more about the criminology program at Davis And Elkins College

22

Georgia Southern University landed the #22 spot for criminology this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Statesboro. Georgia Southern University graduates 55% of students within six years. Georgia Southern University awarded about 175 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $35,588. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full criminology program report for Georgia Southern University

23
Lander University crest
Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University came in at #23 for criminology this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Greenwood. Lander University graduates 50% of students within six years. Lander University awarded about 33 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $37,548. Lander University graduates carry a median of $26,064 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminology from Lander University

24
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University landed the #24 spot for criminology this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Kentucky University awarded about 97 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $32,370 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the criminology program at Western Kentucky University

25
Mary Baldwin College crest
Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin College placed #25 among the best criminology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Staunton. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mary Baldwin College awarded about 14 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from Mary Baldwin College earn around $60,386 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,562 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminology program at Mary Baldwin College

Rest of the Top 33 Criminology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong criminology education:

26
Peace College crest
Peace College
Raleigh, NC
27
28
Flagler College St Augustine crest
Flagler College St Augustine
Saint Augustine, FL
29
30
31
32
Coker College crest
Coker College
Hartsville, SC
33

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 47 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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