2026 Best Value Criminology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/criminology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 249 schools to find the best return on investment for criminology students.
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2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminology Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for criminology in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $19,500. Criminology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $35,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $33,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #3 place for criminology. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $35,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $10,773. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $31,224. Set against $10,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for criminology. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $34,522. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #6 for value in criminology this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos earned the #7 position for value in criminology this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $14,810 in student loans. Criminology graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $34,694 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $20,302. Criminology graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $37,108 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,302 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #9 among the best values for criminology. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Students borrow a median of $17,800 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $38,764. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Criminology graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Utah landed the #11 spot for criminology value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $20,798. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #12 for value in criminology this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Criminology graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Criminology graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #13 spot for criminology value this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $22,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $38,207. Set against $22,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Millikin University came in at #14 for value in criminology this year. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,036 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $58,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #15 among the best values for criminology. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,149 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $35,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $43,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University earned the #17 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Criminology graduates carry a median of $19,295 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $40,228. That is a strong return on a $19,295 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine placed #18 among the best values for criminology. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $23,565 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Washington State University earned the #19 position for value in criminology this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $21,903. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,697. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University earned the #20 position for value in criminology this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Criminology graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Indiana State University landed the #21 spot for criminology value this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,970 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $39,769 early in their careers. Set against $24,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Fresno Pacific University placed #22 among the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $24,596. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $60,890. Set against $24,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #23 among the best values for criminology. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Northern Illinois University came in at #24 for value in criminology this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $52,308. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $24,683 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $43,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminology:
Other Criminology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value criminology schools at other degree levels:
View All Criminology Rankings >
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 · 249 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 128 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
