2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in Iowa
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/criminology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminology schools.
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2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in Iowa
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
For return on investment in criminology, no school beat University Of Northern Iowa this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,683 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $43,914. Set against $24,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Iowa earned it the #2 place for criminology. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $38,520. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
William Penn University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,750 in tuition and fees. Criminology graduates carry a median of $28,341 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $39,727. That is a strong return on a $28,341 median debt. William Penn University admits about 52% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Upper Iowa University one of the best values for criminology. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Criminology graduates carry a median of $43,447 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $43,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
