by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a criminology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying criminology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose criminology graduates go on to earn the most.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #1 spot for highest-paid criminology graduates in North Carolina. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school located in the city of Raleigh. After graduating, criminology degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh typically earn about $64,069 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Peace College one of the highest-paying schools for criminology. Set in the city of Raleigh, Peace College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminology degree recipients from Peace College typically earn about $41,509 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in criminology will find them at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. After graduating, criminology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington typically earn about $48,855 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Johnson C Smith University one of the highest-paying schools for criminology. Set in the city of Charlotte, Johnson C Smith University is a private not-for-profit institution. Criminology graduates of Johnson C Smith University earn a median of about $45,538 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 4 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.