2027 Best Value Criminology Schools in Pennsylvania
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminology schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminology Schools in Pennsylvania
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminology Schools
Leading the list is Westmoreland County Community College, our #1 best value for criminology in Pennsylvania. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the criminology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, which ranked #2. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Early-career criminology graduates make about $41,866. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Lycoming College one of the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Williamsport, Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,804. Criminology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $40,646. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $25,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $36,276. Set against $25,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Cedar Crest College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $30,759. Criminology graduates of Cedar Crest College earn a median of $67,662 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Albright College earned the #6 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,082. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $28,958. Early-career criminology graduates make about $38,075. That is a strong return on a $28,958 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Vincent College earned the #7 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,396. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $40,088. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Vincent College admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #8 among the best values for criminology. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Wilkes University came in at #9 for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,496. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $64,004. Set against $26,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Arcadia University came in at #10 for value in criminology this year. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,610. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Arcadia University generally make around $33,823. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Josephs University landed the #11 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,260 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $48,934 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University placed #12 among the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $40,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Villanova University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $72,601. Set against $26,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
