2027 Best Value Criminology Schools in Missouri
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/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 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminology schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminology Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminology Schools
University Of Missouri Kansas City tops our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools in Missouri. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $23,741. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri St Louis one of the best values for criminology. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $22,801 in student loans. Criminology graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $38,207 early in their careers. Set against $22,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at Avila University, which ranked #3. Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,200. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $51,234. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Missouri State University earned it the #4 place for criminology. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Early-career criminology graduates make about $42,939. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at Missouri State University Springfield, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $24,187. Criminology graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $38,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University earned the #6 position for value in criminology this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $47,448. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #7 among the best values for criminology. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $67,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
