2026 Best Criminology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Criminology bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 249 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Criminology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Criminology program here. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Out of the 249 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #2 spot. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public school based in Menomonie, WI. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Criminology program here. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Stout
The strong Criminology programs at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. The median Criminology program debt is $19,500. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Lycoming College came in at #4 on this year's Criminology ranking in the United States. Set in Williamsport, PA, Lycoming College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,804. Typical Criminology student debt is $27,000. More on Lycoming College
Out of the 249 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Upper Iowa University landed the #5 spot. Located in Fayette, IA, Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Students borrow a median of $43,447 to complete their Criminology program here. Read the full report on Upper Iowa University
Marquette University placed #6 among Criminology schools in the United States. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marquette University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. The median Criminology program debt is $25,000. Get the full Marquette University report
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #7 in this year's ranking. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public school based in Whitewater, WI. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. The median Criminology program debt is $26,000. More on University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Based in Duluth, MN, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Students borrow a median of $23,887 to complete their Criminology program here. More on University Of Minnesota Duluth
University Of Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. The median Criminology program debt is $19,500. Read more about University Of Florida
Saint Anselm College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Manchester, NH. About 80% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $48,920 in tuition and fees. The median Criminology program debt is $27,000. See the full Saint Anselm College profile
Niagara University placed #11 among Criminology schools in the United States. Located in Niagara University, NY, Niagara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Criminology program here. See the full Niagara University profile
Mount St Marys University placed #12 among Criminology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Emmitsburg, MD. Mount St Marys University posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $48,630 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Criminology program here. Get the full Mount St Marys University report
Florida Southern College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Based in Lakeland, FL, Florida Southern College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,040. Florida Southern College Criminology students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Read more about Florida Southern College
University Of Delaware landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical Criminology student debt is $23,685. See the full University Of Delaware profile
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. Based in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $24,683 to complete their Criminology program here. Read more about University Of Northern Iowa
University Of Wisconsin River Falls did well this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in River Falls, WI. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. The median Criminology program debt is $24,750. Get the full University Of Wisconsin River Falls report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical Criminology student debt is $20,500. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Stonehill College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. Located in Easton, MA, Stonehill College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $56,370. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Criminology program here. More on Stonehill College
University Of Iowa came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Iowa City, IA. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Criminology program here. More on University Of Iowa
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #20 in this year's ranking. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical Criminology student debt is $21,875. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Saint Vincent College landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Latrobe, PA. Saint Vincent College posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,396. The median Criminology program debt is $27,000. See the full Saint Vincent College profile
Old Dominion University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. Set in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full Old Dominion University report
Hamline University placed #23 among Criminology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. Hamline University graduates 60% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $50,004. Hamline University Criminology students take on a median of $26,500 in debt. Read more about Hamline University
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a public school based in Saint Louis, MO. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $22,801 to complete their Criminology program here. Read the full report on University Of Missouri St Louis
Villanova University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit school based in Villanova, PA. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Typical Criminology student debt is $26,184. Read the full report on Villanova University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Criminology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of South Florida Main Campus did well this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Tampa, FL, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. University Of South Florida Main Campus Criminology students take on a median of $20,302 in debt. Get the full University Of South Florida Main Campus report
Gonzaga University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Based in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. The median Criminology program debt is $20,994. Read more about Gonzaga University
College Of Mount St Joseph landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cincinnati, OH. About 56% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,150. Graduates carry a median of $28,273 in student loans. Get the full College Of Mount St Joseph report
Webster University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. Webster University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete their Criminology program here. See the full Webster University profile
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #32 among Criminology schools in the United States. Based in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. See the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale profile
Ohio State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #33 position. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,922 in student loans. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Florida Online ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. University Of Florida Online is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida Online graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full University Of Florida Online report
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. This public school is set in Slippery Rock, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Graduates carry a median of $25,990 in student loans. Get the full Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania report
Lakeland College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Set in Plymouth, WI, Lakeland College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $33,396. Students borrow a median of $26,053 to complete their Criminology program here. Read more about Lakeland College
University Of California Irvine did well this year, earning the #37 position. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. The median Criminology program debt is $15,865. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
Randolph Macon College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Located in Ashland, VA, Randolph Macon College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $49,466. Randolph Macon College Criminology students take on a median of $26,432 in debt. Get the full Randolph Macon College report
Lasell College placed #39 among Criminology schools in the United States. Located in Newton, MA, Lasell College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lasell College graduates 59% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,040. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Criminology program here. Get the full Lasell College report
National Louis University did well this year, earning the #40 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,245. Students borrow a median of $23,437 to complete their Criminology program here. Get the full National Louis University report
Dominican University landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Dominican University is a private not-for-profit school based in River Forest, IL. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Criminology program here. Read more about Dominican University
University Of West Georgia ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. This public school is set in Carrollton, GA. University Of West Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. The median Criminology program debt is $28,500. See the full University Of West Georgia profile
Regis University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Denver, CO. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Students from in state pay about $28,140 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $39,337 in student loans. Read more about Regis University
Albright College placed #44 among Criminology schools in the United States. Based in Reading, PA, Albright College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,082. Students borrow a median of $28,958 to complete their Criminology program here. Read the full report on Albright College
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Maryville, MO. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Northwest Missouri State University Criminology students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on Northwest Missouri State University
Ohio State University Mansfield Campus came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Located in Mansfield, OH, Ohio State University Mansfield Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 6%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,922 in student loans. Get the full Ohio State University Mansfield Campus report
Catholic University Of America placed #48 among Criminology schools in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Catholic University Of America posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,378. Typical Criminology student debt is $25,771. Get the full Catholic University Of America report
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a public institution. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice Criminology students take on a median of $11,000 in debt. Get the full Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice report
Capital University did well this year, earning the #50 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Columbus, OH. Capital University graduates 60% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $43,234. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Capital University report
California State University Fresno ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. Based in Fresno, CA, California State University Fresno is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. The median Criminology program debt is $10,773. Get the full California State University Fresno report
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #52 spot in the United States this year. Based in Wilmington, NC, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical Criminology student debt is $22,915. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Wilmington report
California State University San Marcos placed #53 among Criminology schools in the United States. This public school is set in San Marcos, CA. About 55% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical Criminology student debt is $14,810. Read the full report on California State University San Marcos
Related Criminology Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Criminology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Criminology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Criminology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Criminology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Criminology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Criminology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 249 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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