2026 Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Criminology master’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 help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Criminology Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found University Of California Irvine to be the best Criminology school in the United States. University Of California Irvine is a public school based in Irvine, CA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. University Of California Irvine Criminology students take on a median of $15,865 in debt. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
A rank of #2 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
Out of the 249 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Maryland College Park landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in College Park, MD. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Criminology students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. More on University Of Maryland College Park
Out of the 249 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Niagara University landed the #4 spot. Set in Niagara University, NY, Niagara University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Typical Criminology student debt is $27,000. See the full Niagara University profile
Out of the 249 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Saint Vincent College landed the #5 spot. 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. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Saint Vincent College report
Lasell College landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Newton, MA, Lasell College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,040. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full Lasell College profile
Saint Josephs University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Saint Josephs University is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Josephs University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,260. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about Saint Josephs University
University Of Delaware landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Graduates carry a median of $23,685 in student loans. More on University Of Delaware
George Washington University placed #10 among Criminology schools in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. Typical Criminology student debt is $22,910. More on George Washington University
Regis University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Denver, CO. Regis University graduates 62% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $28,140 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $39,337 in student loans. More on Regis University
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. This public school is set in Tampa, FL. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical Criminology student debt is $20,302. Read more about University Of South Florida Main Campus
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in Houston, TX, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $16,149 to complete their Criminology program here. Read the full report on University Of Houston Clear Lake
University Of Florida ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Criminology program here. Read the full report on University Of Florida
University Of Missouri St Louis did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Saint Louis, MO, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. The median Criminology program debt is $22,801. Read the full report on University Of Missouri St Louis
San Jose State University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. San Jose State University is a public school based in San Jose, CA. San Jose State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Read the full report on San Jose State University
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Richardson, TX. The University Of Texas At Dallas graduates 76% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Criminology program here. Read more about The University Of Texas At Dallas
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. Located in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,187 to complete their Criminology program here. See the full Missouri State University Springfield profile
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #21 among Criminology schools in the United States. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public school based in Durham, NH. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical Criminology student debt is $27,000. Get the full University Of New Hampshire Main Campus report
University Of Miami did well this year, earning the #22 position. University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit school based in Coral Gables, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,616. University Of Miami Criminology students take on a median of $16,500 in debt. Get the full University Of Miami report
Washington State University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Located in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Read more about Washington State University
Eastern Michigan University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. Set in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,990. Graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Read more about Eastern Michigan University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. See the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale profile
The University Of Tampa did well this year, earning the #26 position. Set in Tampa, FL, The University Of Tampa is a private not-for-profit institution. The University Of Tampa posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,408. The University Of Tampa Criminology students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. More on The University Of Tampa
California State University Fresno ranked #27 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%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,773 in student loans. Read the full report on California State University Fresno
University Of West Georgia placed #28 among Criminology schools in the United States. Located in Carrollton, GA, University Of West Georgia is a public institution. University Of West Georgia graduates 44% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. The median Criminology program debt is $28,500. Read the full report on University Of West Georgia
Rest of the Top 50 Best Criminology Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Indiana State University placed #29 among Criminology schools in the United States. Set in Terre Haute, IN, Indiana State University is a public institution. Indiana State University graduates 43% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical Criminology student debt is $24,970. Read more about Indiana State University
Oklahoma City University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Located in Oklahoma City, OK, Oklahoma City University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $34,754 in tuition and fees. The median Criminology program debt is $27,248. Read more about Oklahoma City University
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete their Criminology program here. Read more about Bowling Green State University Main Campus
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #32 among Criminology schools in the United States. Based in Kansas City, MO, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete their Criminology program here. Read more about University Of Missouri Kansas City
The University Of Alabama did well this year, earning the #33 position. Located in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. More on The University Of Alabama
Northern Arizona University did well this year, earning the #34 position. This public school is set in Flagstaff, AZ. About 61% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. See the full Northern Arizona University profile
San Diego State University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete their Criminology program here. Get the full San Diego State University report
Western Kentucky University placed #36 among Criminology schools in the United States. Western Kentucky University is a public school based in Bowling Green, KY. About 58% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Western Kentucky University Criminology students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Read the full report on Western Kentucky University
St Johns University New York landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set in Queens, NY, St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. St Johns University New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,529. Typical Criminology student debt is $25,521. See the full St Johns University New York profile
Arizona State University placed #38 among Criminology schools in the United States. Set in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. The median Criminology program debt is $21,842. See the full Arizona State University profile
Lindenwood University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Charles, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete their Criminology program here. Read more about Lindenwood University
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. Located in Kingsville, TX, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Texas A And M University Kingsville Criminology students take on a median of $25,750 in debt. Read more about Texas A And M University Kingsville
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Set in Dearborn, MI, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public institution. University Of Michigan Dearborn posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete their Criminology program here. Get the full University Of Michigan Dearborn report
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public school based in Indiana, PA. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. The median Criminology program debt is $27,000. More on Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Based in Princess Anne, MD, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a public institution. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,076, compared with $20,122 for out-of-state students. The median Criminology program debt is $26,996. Get the full University Of Maryland Eastern Shore report
Coker College did well this year, earning the #44 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hartsville, SC. Coker College posts a six-year graduation rate of 40%. In-state tuition and fees average $33,416. Typical Criminology student debt is $30,000. Read more about Coker College
Georgia Southern University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. Located in Statesboro, GA, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Criminology program here. Read the full report on Georgia Southern University
Texas A And M University Commerce did well this year, earning the #46 position. This public school is set in Commerce, TX. Texas A And M University Commerce posts a six-year graduation rate of 43%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Get the full Texas A And M University Commerce report
Alliant International University came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Located in San Diego, CA, Alliant International University is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,254. Students borrow a median of $21,234 to complete their Criminology program here. See the full Alliant International University profile
Rosemont College
Rosemont College did well this year, earning the #45 position. See the full Rosemont College profile
Concordia University Texas came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Concordia University Texas
Benedictine University did well this year, earning the #47 position. See the full Benedictine University profile
Humboldt State University did well this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Humboldt State University report
University Of The Pacific ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Criminology schools. More on University Of The Pacific
University Of Utah did well this year, earning the #50 position. See the full University Of Utah profile
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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Criminology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Criminology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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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