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2024 Best Criminology Schools

138 Colleges in the United States
11,039 Criminology Degrees Awarded
$33,568 Avg Early-Career Salary
Criminology is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #80 most popular degree program in the country. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 138 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Criminology Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 11,039 degrees in criminology during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Criminology School

Best Criminology Schools Your choice of criminology school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Criminology School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Criminology Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Criminology
Bachelor's Degrees in Criminology
Master's Degrees in Criminology
Doctor's Degrees in Criminology

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Criminology Schools list to help you make the college decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.


 

Best Schools for Criminology in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the criminology degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

20 Top Schools in Criminology

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
46 Criminology Degrees Awarded
34.8% Growth in Graduates

It's hard to beat University of Pennsylvania if you want to pursue a degree in criminology. Located in the city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were roughly 46 criminology students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year. Criminology degree recipients from University of Pennsylvania get an earnings boost of about $17,210 above the typical earnings of criminology graduates.

More information about a degree in criminology from University of Pennsylvania

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
346 Criminology Degrees Awarded
$36,992 Median Starting Salary

It's difficult to beat University of Maryland - College Park if you wish to pursue a degree in criminology. UMCP is a very large public university located in the large suburb of College Park. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.

There were approximately 346 criminology students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent year we have data available. Those criminology students who get their degree from University of Maryland - College Park receive $3,424 more than the standard criminology student.

More information about a degree in criminology from University of Maryland - College Park

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
498 Criminology Degrees Awarded
6.8% Growth in Graduates

University of California - Irvine is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in criminology. UC Irvine is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Irvine. A Best Colleges rank of #61 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UC Irvine is a great university overall.

There were approximately 498 criminology students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the criminology major at University of California - Irvine get $9,180 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in criminology from University of California - Irvine

4
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
179 Criminology Degrees Awarded
13.4% Growth in Graduates

It is difficult to beat University of Florida if you wish to pursue a degree in criminology. Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were about 179 criminology students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the criminology program make around $29,868 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in criminology from University of Florida

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
138 Criminology Degrees Awarded
2.2% Growth in Graduates

UD is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Newark. A Best Colleges rank of #118 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UD is a great university overall.

There were about 138 criminology students who graduated with this degree at UD in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the criminology program state that they receive average early career income of $33,603.

More information about a degree in criminology from University of Delaware

6
Lasell crest
Lasell University
Newton, MA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
96 Criminology Degrees Awarded
22.9% Growth in Graduates

Lasell is a small private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Newton. This university ranks 31st out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were about 96 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Lasell in the most recent data year. Criminology degree recipients from Lasell University earn a boost of approximately $7,949 over the average income of criminology graduates.

More information about a degree in criminology from Lasell University

7
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
151 Criminology Degrees Awarded
20.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #51 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were about 151 criminology students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the criminology program at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities make $2,159 more than the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in criminology from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

8
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
97 Criminology Degrees Awarded
2.1% Growth in Graduates

Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the city of Iowa City. A Best Colleges rank of #84 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.

There were approximately 97 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year. Criminology degree recipients from University of Iowa earn a boost of about $2,311 over the average earnings of criminology graduates.

More information about a degree in criminology from University of Iowa

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
442 Criminology Degrees Awarded
$31,310 Median Starting Salary

USF Tampa is a very large public university located in the city of Tampa. This university ranks 8th out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 442 criminology students who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the criminology program earn about $31,310 for their early career.

More information about a degree in criminology from University of South Florida - Main Campus

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
147 Criminology Degrees Awarded
2.7% Growth in Graduates

Ohio State is a very large public university located in the large city of Columbus. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 147 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the criminology program make about $33,830 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in criminology from Ohio State University - Main Campus

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
68 Criminology Degrees Awarded
4.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the suburb of Durham, UNH is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 17 colleges for overall quality in the state of New Hampshire.

There were about 68 criminology students who graduated with this degree at UNH in the most recent data year. Those criminology students who get their degree from University of New Hampshire - Main Campus make $4,870 more than the typical criminology grad.

More information about a degree in criminology from University of New Hampshire - Main Campus

12
St. Anselm College crest
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, NH
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
51 Criminology Degrees Awarded
13.7% Growth in Graduates

St. Anselm College is a small private not-for-profit college located in the medium-sized suburb of Manchester. This college ranks 4th out of 17 schools for overall quality in the state of New Hampshire.

There were about 51 criminology students who graduated with this degree at St. Anselm College in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the criminology program at Saint Anselm College make $7,531 more than the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in criminology from Saint Anselm College

13
St. Joe's crest
Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
140 Criminology Degrees Awarded
$42,094 Median Starting Salary

St. Joe's is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia. This university ranks 12th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 140 criminology students who graduated with this degree at St. Joe's in the most recent data year. Those criminology students who get their degree from Saint Joseph's University earn $8,526 more than the average criminology student.

More information about a degree in criminology from Saint Joseph’s University

14
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
78 Criminology Degrees Awarded
3.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Milwaukee, Marquette is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #130 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Marquette is a great university overall.

There were roughly 78 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Marquette in the most recent data year. Criminology degree recipients from Marquette University receive an earnings boost of approximately $2,064 above the typical income of criminology graduates.

More information about a degree in criminology from Marquette University

15
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
63 Criminology Degrees Awarded
39.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Coral Gables, U Miami is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #91 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means U Miami is a great university overall.

There were about 63 criminology students who graduated with this degree at U Miami in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the criminology program report average early career income of $29,138.

More information about a degree in criminology from University of Miami

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
284 Criminology Degrees Awarded
2.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Flagstaff, NAU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 26 schools for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

There were roughly 284 criminology students who graduated with this degree at NAU in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the criminology program earn about $32,280 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in criminology from Northern Arizona University

17
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In AL
269 Criminology Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Tuscaloosa, UA is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #139 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UA is a great university overall.

There were about 269 criminology students who graduated with this degree at UA in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in criminology from The University of Alabama

18
Stonehill crest
Stonehill College
Easton, MA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
44 Criminology Degrees Awarded
$40,224 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Easton, Stonehill is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 28th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were approximately 44 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Stonehill in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the criminology major at Stonehill College earn $6,656 more than the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in criminology from Stonehill College

19
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
46 Criminology Degrees Awarded
$37,919 Median Starting Salary

UMN Duluth is a medium-sized public university located in the small city of Duluth. This university ranks 9th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were approximately 46 criminology students who graduated with this degree at UMN Duluth in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the criminology degree program at University of Minnesota - Duluth earn $4,351 above the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in criminology from University of Minnesota - Duluth

20
Gonzaga crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$34,393 Median Starting Salary
$27,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the midsize city of Spokane, Gonzaga is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were approximately 28 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Gonzaga in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, criminology degree recipients typically earn around $34,393 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in criminology from Gonzaga University

Rest of the Top Best Criminology Schools

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Criminology Schools award.

Rank College Location
26 Stockton University Galloway, NJ
27 Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL
21 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
22 John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY
23 Washington State University Pullman, WA
24 University of Denver Denver, CO
25 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA

Criminology by Region

View the Best Criminology Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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One of 0 majors within the <nil> area of study, Criminology has other similar majors worth exploring.

Criminology Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Criminology 11,039

View All Criminology Focus Areas >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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