2027 Best Value Criminology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/criminology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for criminology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminology Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice the best value for a degree in criminology in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $33,798. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for criminology. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $19,500. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Suny College At Old Westbury one of the best values for criminology. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $17,800. Criminology graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $38,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at University Of Delaware, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $23,685. Criminology graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $35,968 early in their careers. Set against $23,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at Westmoreland County Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Criminology graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,742, while out-of-state students pay about $15,769. Criminology graduates carry a median of $23,640 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Canton generally make around $46,515. That is a strong return on a $23,640 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Niagara University landed the #7 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Early-career criminology graduates make about $36,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in criminology this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $41,866. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Delaware State University earned the #9 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,670, with out-of-state students paying around $20,634. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $30,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Lycoming College earned the #10 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Williamsport, Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,804. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Lycoming College generally make around $40,646. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #11 among the best values for criminology. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $25,990 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $36,276. That is a strong return on a $25,990 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
University At Buffalo placed #12 among the best values for criminology. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Cedar Crest College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,314. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $30,759. Criminology graduates of Cedar Crest College earn a median of $67,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Albright College came in at #14 for value in criminology this year. Albright College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,082. Students borrow a median of $28,958 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Albright College earn a median of $38,075 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albright College admits about 76% of applicants.
Le Moyne College earned the #15 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,330. Criminology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Le Moyne College earn a median of $57,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Cortland came in at #16 for value in criminology this year. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $21,500. Early-career criminology graduates make about $34,768. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Mount St Marys University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the rural area of Emmitsburg, Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,630 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Mount St Marys University generally make around $43,230. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount St Marys University admits about 74% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earned the #18 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,468. Criminology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earn a median of $37,619 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Mount Saint Mary College landed the #19 spot for criminology value this year. Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,450. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Mount Saint Mary College earn a median of $65,715 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Saint Mary College admits about 89% of applicants.
Saint Vincent College placed #20 among the best values for criminology. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. In-state tuition and fees average $42,396. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Saint Vincent College earn a median of $40,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Bonaventure University earned the #21 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the town of Saint Bonaventure, Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,735. Criminology graduates carry a median of $25,917 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $43,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $16,155. Criminology graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Wilkes University came in at #23 for value in criminology this year. Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,496. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $64,004. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Bloomfield College landed the #24 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the suburb of Bloomfield, Bloomfield College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,207 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Bloomfield College generally make around $44,730. Set against $24,207 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Saint John Fisher College landed the #25 spot for criminology value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,190. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $24,750. Criminology graduates of Saint John Fisher College earn a median of $33,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Criminology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminology this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
