by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their criminology graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying criminology schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send criminology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Lasell College the top school for criminology graduate earnings in the United States. Lasell College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newton. After graduating, criminology degree recipients from Lasell College typically earn about $137,372 annually.
University Of California Irvine came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminology schools. University Of California Irvine is a public school located in the city of Irvine. Criminology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of about $97,928 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in criminology will find them at Texas A And M University Commerce, which ranked #3. Texas A And M University Commerce is a public school located in the town of Commerce. Criminology graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of about $60,575 a year early in their careers.
Saint Josephs University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminology schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career criminology graduates from Saint Josephs University make a median of around $64,854 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in criminology will find them at Bowling Green State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, criminology degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus typically earn about $57,019 annually.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #6 for criminology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public institution. After graduating, criminology degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake typically earn about $65,408 annually.
Regis University landed the #7 spot for criminology salaries this year. Regis University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Criminology graduates of Regis University earn a median of about $64,924 a year early in their careers.
Tiffin University landed the #8 spot for criminology salaries this year. Tiffin University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. Early-career criminology graduates from Tiffin University make a median of around $52,914 per year.
Indiana State University earned the #9 position for criminology graduate earnings this year. Indiana State University is a public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Early-career criminology graduates from Indiana State University make a median of around $58,850 per year.
Lindenwood University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminology schools. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career criminology graduates from Lindenwood University make a median of around $59,517 per year.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #11 position for criminology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, criminology degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus typically earn about $49,276 annually.
Saint Vincent College came in at #12 for criminology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a private not-for-profit institution. Criminology graduates of Saint Vincent College earn a median of about $42,613 a year early in their careers.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminology schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Students who complete the criminology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,747.
The University Of Tampa earned the #14 position for criminology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a private not-for-profit institution. Criminology graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of about $41,378 a year early in their careers.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #15 for criminology graduate earnings this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public school located in the town of Kingsville. Criminology graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of about $39,386 a year early in their careers.
St Johns University New York came in at #16 for criminology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Criminology graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of about $35,868 a year early in their careers.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Criminology rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their criminology graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 16 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.