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2027 Best Value Criminology Associate’s Degree Schools

5 Colleges in the United States
$11,642 Avg Student Debt
$41,238 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Criminology Associate's Degree Badge [Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for criminology students.

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2027 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

1

Leading the list is Paris Junior College, our #1 best value for criminology in the United States. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #2 place for criminology. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Criminology graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $28,987. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Capital Community College earned it the #3 place for criminology. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Westmoreland County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #4 spot this year. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $11,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

5

Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at Utah State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.

Other Criminology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value criminology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Criminology
Bachelor's Degrees in Criminology
Master's Degrees in Criminology

View All Criminology Rankings >

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 · 5 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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