2026 Best Criminology Schools in Iowa
Criminology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their criminology programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for criminology students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Criminology in Iowa
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.
Top Schools in Criminology
Our analysis ranked University Of Iowa the best school in the country for a degree in criminology. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 criminology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from University Of Iowa earn around $38,520 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminology from University Of Iowa
University Of Northern Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 criminology degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $43,914. Typical student debt for the program is $24,683.
More information about a degree in criminology from University Of Northern Iowa
Students looking for a strong criminology program will find one at William Penn University, which ranked #3. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. William Penn University graduates 33% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 criminology students who graduated with this degree at William Penn University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $39,727 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,341 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminology program at William Penn University
Upper Iowa University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. Upper Iowa University awarded about 32 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $43,170 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $43,447 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminology program at Upper Iowa University
More Criminology Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
- 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.
