2027 Best Value Criminology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 146 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminology students.
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2027 Best Value Criminology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in criminology in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $35,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $33,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #3 place for criminology. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $35,096. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Marcos earned it the #4 place for criminology. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Criminology graduates carry a median of $14,810 in student loans. Criminology graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $34,694 early in their careers. Set against $14,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for criminology. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $20,302. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $37,108. Set against $20,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Criminology graduates carry a median of $10,773 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $31,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. That is a strong return on a $17,226 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $38,764. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine landed the #9 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $34,522 early in their careers. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio landed the #10 spot for criminology value this year. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Students borrow a median of $22,771 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,771 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #11 among the best values for criminology. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Criminology graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Criminology graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Fresno Pacific University landed the #12 spot for criminology value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $60,890. Set against $24,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
National Louis University earned the #13 position for value in criminology this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $23,437. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $30,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #14 spot for criminology value this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $26,516. Early-career criminology graduates make about $62,536. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Indiana State University came in at #15 for value in criminology this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,970 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $39,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Pueblo earned the #16 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,325. Early-career criminology graduates make about $49,098. Set against $25,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Eastern Washington University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,295 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $40,228. That is a strong return on a $19,295 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $37,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #19 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,565 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,726. Set against $23,565 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University placed #20 among the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $37,214. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #21 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #22 spot for criminology value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $19,500. Early-career criminology graduates make about $43,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Humboldt State University landed the #23 spot for criminology value this year. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $16,849. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $29,123. Set against $16,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University earned the #24 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $32,370. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Washington State University landed the #25 spot for criminology value this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $54,697. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminology value ranking:
Other Criminology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value criminology schools at other degree levels:
View All Criminology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 146 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 146 ranked schools only.
- 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.
