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2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

7 Colleges in the United States
$23,769 Avg Student Debt
$60,148 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Criminology Badge [Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/criminology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for criminology students.

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2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Criminology Schools

1

Leading the list is Utah State University, our #1 best value for criminology in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $50,348. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.

2
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $20,798. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at Colorado State University Pueblo, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $25,325 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $49,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Idaho earned it the #4 place for criminology. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $43,246 early in their careers. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

5
Fort Lewis College crest
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

A rank of #5 makes Fort Lewis College one of the best values for criminology. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Students borrow a median of $18,888 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $30,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.

6
Regis University crest
Regis University
Denver, CO

Regis University came in at #6 for value in criminology this year. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $39,337. Early-career criminology graduates make about $48,522. That is a strong return on a $39,337 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Denver placed #7 among the best values for criminology. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $22,000. Early-career criminology graduates make about $40,667. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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