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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminology (Income $0-$30k)

43 Ranked Colleges
783 Degrees Awarded
$22,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Criminology is the 82nd most popular major in the country with 10,182 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, criminology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,583 and had an average of $24,397 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 783 criminology graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 43 colleges that offer a degree in criminology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent criminology programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the criminology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Criminology Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Criminology (Income $0-$30k)

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s criminology degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

UPenn also made our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminology at UPenn

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 32 masters’s criminology degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine also took the #2 spot in our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456.

Read full report on Criminology at UC Irvine

#3

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Maryland - College Park. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in College Park, Maryland, and it awarded 22 masters’s criminology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMCP, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminology at University of Maryland - College Park

#11 in overall quality

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. USF Tampa is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree criminology students whose families make $0-$30k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126.

Full USF Tampa Criminology Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 11 masters’s criminology degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581.

Read more about Criminology at Fresno State

#6

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658.

Full SDSU Criminology Report

University of Houston - Clear Lake did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. UH Clear Lake is a medium-sized public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 13 masters’s criminology degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston - Clear Lake are $19,216.

Full University of Houston - Clear Lake Criminology Report

#21 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminology degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048.

Read full report on Criminology at Arizona State University - Tempe

The University of Texas at Dallas came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Richardson, Texas, and it awarded 14 masters’s criminology degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminology at The University of Texas at Dallas

#16 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Reno ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Nevada - Reno is a large public school situated in Reno, Nevada. It awarded 6 masters’s criminology degrees in 2019-2020.

UNR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Reno are $21,971.

Read full report on Criminology at UNR

#11

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Charles, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s criminology degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lindenwood University, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550.

Read full report on Criminology at Lindenwood University

#12

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana

With a ranking of #12, Indiana State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana State is a fairly large public school situated in Terre Haute, Indiana. It awarded 17 masters’s criminology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree criminology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Indiana State has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State are $15,346.

Full Indiana State University Criminology Report

#13

Niagara University

Niagara University, New York
#13 in overall quality

Niagara University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Niagara is a private not-for-profit institution located in Niagara University, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Niagara also made our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at Niagara are $14,893, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Criminology at Niagara

#14

Saint Vincent College

Latrobe, Pennsylvania
#7 in overall quality

Saint Vincent College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. It awarded 15 masters’s criminology degrees in 2019-2020.

Saint Vincent did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Vincent College are $14,310.

Full Saint Vincent Criminology Report

#15

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose State University is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full San Jose State University Criminology Report

#16

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #16, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 12 masters’s criminology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - St Louis are $30,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Criminology Report

Texas A&M University - Commerce landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Texas A&M Commerce is located in Commerce, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 masters’s criminology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Commerce are $14,549, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Criminology at Texas A&M University - Commerce

#23 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 6 masters’s criminology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree criminology students whose families make $0-$30k list, SIUC has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Criminology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#19

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#25 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Flagstaff, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

NAU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Arizona University are $19,489.

Full NAU Criminology Report

#20

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware

With a ranking of #20, University of Delaware did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Delaware is located in Newark, Delaware and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s criminology degrees to qualified students.

UD also made our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Delaware are $35,192, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Delaware Criminology Report

#21

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia
#9 in overall quality

George Washington University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. GWU is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 6 masters’s criminology degrees in 2019-2020.

GWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at GWU are $31,824, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminology at George Washington University

#20 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s criminology degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Criminology Report

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. BGSU is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Ohio. It awarded 33 masters’s criminology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at BGSU are $15,823, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminology at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

With a ranking of #24, Texas A&M University - Kingsville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas A&M University - Kingsville is a medium-sized school located in Kingsville, Texas that handed out 19 masters’s criminology degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Kingsville are $14,066.

Full Texas A&M Kingsville Criminology Report

#25

Stockton University

Galloway, New Jersey

With a ranking of #25, Stockton University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Criminology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Galloway, New Jersey, and it awarded 18 masters’s criminology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Stockton State are $21,545, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Criminology at Stockton State

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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