2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminology Schools
Our analysis ranked Capital Community College the best value for a degree in criminology in the New England Region. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Criminology graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $23,565. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Central Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #3 spot this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $23,995. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $40,713. Set against $23,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Framingham State University earned it the #4 place for criminology. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,974. Early-career criminology graduates make about $41,431. Set against $25,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in criminology will find it at University Of Rhode Island, which ranked #5. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $19,600. Criminology graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $31,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Connecticut State University placed #6 among the best values for criminology. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,928, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Criminology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $39,705. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #7 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Criminology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $37,535 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Lasell College landed the #8 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,040. Criminology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Lasell College earn a median of $88,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.
Assumption College landed the #9 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,356. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $48,600. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hartford ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Students borrow a median of $25,648 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $51,123. That is a strong return on a $25,648 median debt. University Of Hartford admits about 96% of applicants.
Stonehill College placed #11 among the best values for criminology. Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,370. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $40,928. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts earned the #12 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,550. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $26,348. Early-career criminology graduates make about $36,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.
Saint Anselm College placed #13 among the best values for criminology. Located in the suburb of Manchester, Saint Anselm College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,920 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Criminology graduates of Saint Anselm College earn a median of $46,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Anselm College admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
[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.
