2027 Best Value Criminology Master’s Degree Schools
[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 26 schools to find the best return on investment for criminology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminology Schools in the United States
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
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #1 spot for value among criminology schools in the United States. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Criminology graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,302 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $37,108. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #3 place for criminology. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $61,062. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at Texas A And M University Commerce, which ranked #4. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Criminology graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $62,820. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the best values for criminology. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $37,645. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #6 spot for criminology value this year. 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. Early-career criminology graduates make about $43,698. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Arizona State University landed the #7 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $21,842. Early-career criminology graduates make about $55,876. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University landed the #8 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $16,417. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
East Carolina University came in at #9 for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University came in at #10 for value in criminology this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $35,588. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #11 spot for criminology value this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $40,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara University placed #12 among the best values for criminology. Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $36,781. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #13 among the best values for criminology. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $24,187. Early-career criminology graduates make about $41,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Criminology graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $45,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Regis University placed #15 among the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Students borrow a median of $39,337 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $48,522. That is a strong return on a $39,337 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Cedar Crest College placed #16 among the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,314. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $30,759. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Cedar Crest College generally make around $67,662. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. Cedar Crest College admits about 84% of applicants.
University At Buffalo placed #17 among the best values for criminology. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $22,232. Early-career criminology graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Lindenwood University came in at #18 for value in criminology this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $28,663. Early-career criminology graduates make about $47,448. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The University Of Alabama came in at #19 for value in criminology this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #20 for value in criminology this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $39,814. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $57,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Loyola University New Orleans landed the #22 spot for criminology value this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,440. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Loyola University New Orleans earn a median of $35,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University New Orleans admits about 93% of applicants.
Tiffin University placed #23 among the best values for criminology. Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. In-state tuition and fees average $34,790. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $30,977. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $52,914. That is a strong return on a $30,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Lasell College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,040. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Lasell College earn a median of $137,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #25 position for value in criminology this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Criminology graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Criminology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminology:
Other Criminology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value criminology schools at other degree levels:
View All Criminology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
