by our College Data Analytics TeamCriminology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their criminology programs.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best criminology schools.
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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.
University Of Iowa tops our 2027 ranking of the best criminology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Iowa awarded about 77 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $38,520 in their early career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the criminology program at University Of Iowa
A rank of #2 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the top schools for criminology. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 33 criminology degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Criminology graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $43,914 early in their careers. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,683 in student loans. See the full criminology program report for University Of Northern Iowa
A rank of #3 makes Upper Iowa University one of the top schools for criminology. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 33% of students finish within six years. Upper Iowa University awarded about 39 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $43,170. Upper Iowa University graduates carry a median of $43,447 in student loans. Get the full criminology details for Upper Iowa University
A rank of #4 makes William Penn University one of the top schools for criminology. Located in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit university. William Penn University graduates 33% of students within six years. About 10 criminology degrees were awarded at William Penn University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $39,727 in their early career. William Penn University graduates carry a median of $28,341 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminology from William Penn University
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 4 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.