by our College Data Analytics TeamCriminology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for criminology students pursuing a degree.
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If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the criminology degrees they offer, see the list below.
San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in criminology. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 20 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. See the full criminology program report for San Jose State University
Students looking for a strong criminology program will find one at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 403 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $47,792. Typical student debt for the program is $15,865. More information about a degree in criminology from University Of California Irvine
California State Polytechnic University Pomona is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminology, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 105 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $49,427 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminology from California State Polytechnic University Pomona
California State University San Marcos came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. California State University San Marcos awarded about 178 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $34,694. California State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $14,810 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminology from California State University San Marcos
Students looking for a strong criminology program will find one at San Diego State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 11 criminology degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $51,162 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminology program at San Diego State University
Fresno Pacific University earned the #6 position for criminology this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 criminology degrees were awarded at Fresno Pacific University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $60,890. Typical student debt for the program is $24,596. More information about a degree in criminology from Fresno Pacific University
Alliant International University earned the #7 position for criminology this year. This moderately-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. Alliant International University awarded about 17 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of Alliant International University earn a median of $70,024 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,234 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminology from Alliant International University
California State University Fresno landed the #8 spot for criminology this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 362 criminology students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from California State University Fresno earn around $31,224 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,773 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminology program at California State University Fresno
California Lutheran University earned the #9 position for criminology this year. California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Thousand Oaks. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 40 criminology degrees were awarded at California Lutheran University in the most recent year. Criminology graduates of California Lutheran University earn a median of $31,963 early in their careers. California Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Read more about the criminology program at California Lutheran University
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles came in at #10 for criminology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 10 criminology degrees were awarded at The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminology degree from The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles earn around $66,047 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $32,107 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminology program at The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles
University Of La Verne placed #11 among the best criminology schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Verne. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 criminology students who graduated with this degree at University Of La Verne in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $34,292. University Of La Verne graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the criminology program at University Of La Verne
Humboldt State University earned the #12 position for criminology this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. About 49% of students finish within six years. Humboldt State University awarded about 26 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $29,123 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,849. Get the full criminology details for Humboldt State University
Mount St Marys College came in at #13 for criminology this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Mount St Marys College graduates 48% of students within six years. About 10 criminology degrees were awarded at Mount St Marys College in the most recent year. Criminology graduates of Mount St Marys College earn a median of $58,110 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $33,495. More information about a degree in criminology from Mount St Marys College
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 16 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
