2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in Iowa
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for criminology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminology Schools in Iowa
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
University Of Northern Iowa tops our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,683 in student loans. Criminology graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $43,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,683 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Criminology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $38,520. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes William Penn University one of the best values for criminology. Located in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,750. Criminology graduates carry a median of $28,341 in student loans. Criminology graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $39,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Upper Iowa University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $43,447. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $43,170. Set against $43,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.
More Criminology Rankings
View All Criminology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
