2026 Best Value Criminology Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

University Of Delaware

Newark, DE

Leading the list is University Of Delaware, our #1 best-value Criminology school in the United States. Set in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. The median Criminology program debt is $23,685. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,950. That is a strong return on a $23,685 median debt. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Delaware

#2

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

Indiana, PA

You'll get strong value at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Indiana, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical Criminology student debt is $27,000. Median earnings reach $51,019 ten years out. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

#3

University Of South Florida Main Campus

Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #3 on this year's best-value Criminology ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Tampa, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,302 to complete their Criminology program here. Median earnings reach $57,743 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%. Read the full report on University Of South Florida Main Campus

#4

University Of California Irvine

Irvine, CA

You'll get strong value at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. The median Criminology program debt is $15,865. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $80,735. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt. About 29% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of California Irvine profile

#5

University Of Maryland College Park

College Park, MD

A rank of #5 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values in the United States. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Criminology program here. University Of Maryland College Park alumni report median earnings of $82,860 a decade after entry. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park

#6

Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #6 among the best-value Criminology schools in the United States. Set in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. The median Criminology program debt is $21,842. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,668. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University has an acceptance rate of 90%. Read more about Arizona State University

#6

The University Of Texas At Dallas

Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Richardson, TX, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Criminology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,227 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Dallas has an acceptance rate of 65%. Read more about The University Of Texas At Dallas

#8

Washington State University

Pullman, WA

Washington State University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. The median Criminology program debt is $21,903. Washington State University alumni report median earnings of $68,905 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%. Get the full Washington State University report

#9

University Of Missouri St Louis

Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminology schools. Set in Saint Louis, MO, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,801 to complete their Criminology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,037. That is a strong return on a $22,801 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%. Read the full report on University Of Missouri St Louis

#10

University Of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. University Of Florida Criminology students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida has an acceptance rate of 24%. More on University Of Florida

#11

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Old Dominion University is a public school based in Norfolk, VA. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,914. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants. See the full Old Dominion University profile

#12

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical Criminology student debt is $24,000. Median earnings reach $53,390 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale report

#13

University Of South Carolina Columbia

Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminology schools. Located in Columbia, SC, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete their Criminology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,177. Set against $24,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of South Carolina Columbia

#14

Drexel University

Drexel University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. See the full Drexel University profile

#15

Ohio State University Mansfield Campus

Ohio State University Mansfield Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. See the full Ohio State University Mansfield Campus profile

#16

Illinois College

Illinois College placed #16 among the best-value Criminology schools in the United States. Get the full Illinois College report

#17

Suny College At Cortland

Suny College At Cortland placed #17 among the best-value Criminology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Suny College At Cortland

#18

The University Of Alabama

The University Of Alabama came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. More on The University Of Alabama

#19

Howard Payne University

Howard Payne University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Howard Payne University

#20

Saint Michaels College

Saint Michaels College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Get the full Saint Michaels College report

#21

The University Of Tampa

The University Of Tampa landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on The University Of Tampa

#22

Alliant International University

Alliant International University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Alliant International University report

#23

Letourneau University

Letourneau University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Letourneau University report

#24

Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminology schools. Read the full report on Purdue University Global

#25

Stonehill College

Stonehill College landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Stonehill College profile

#26

Marquette University

Marquette University came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. More on Marquette University

#27

New Mexico Highlands University

New Mexico Highlands University placed #27 among the best-value Criminology schools in the United States. See the full New Mexico Highlands University profile

#28

Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminology schools. Read more about Texas Tech University

#29

Thomas College

Thomas College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. More on Thomas College

#30

University Of Missouri Kansas City

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Missouri Kansas City report

#31

Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham

Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminology schools. See the full Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham profile

#32

Immaculata University

Immaculata University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminology schools. More on Immaculata University

#33

Saint Vincent College

Saint Vincent College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminology schools. See the full Saint Vincent College profile

#34

Dominican University

Dominican University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminology schools. Get the full Dominican University report

#35

Drury University

Drury University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminology schools. See the full Drury University profile

#36

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #36 among the best-value Criminology schools in the United States. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

#37

Mount St Marys College

Mount St Marys College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. More on Mount St Marys College

#38

Saint Bonaventure University

Saint Bonaventure University placed #38 among the best-value Criminology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Saint Bonaventure University

#39

Briar Cliff University

Briar Cliff University placed #39 among the best-value Criminology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Briar Cliff University

#40

Mount St Marys University

Mount St Marys University landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Mount St Marys University

#41

North Central College

North Central College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminology schools. More on North Central College

#42

Concordia University Texas

Concordia University Texas landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Concordia University Texas

#43

University Of Mobile

University Of Mobile landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Mobile profile

#44

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Criminology schools. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Whitewater report

#45

Heidelberg University

Heidelberg University placed #45 among the best-value Criminology schools in the United States. Read more about Heidelberg University

#46

University Of Pennsylvania

University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile

#47

Suny College Of Technology At Canton

Suny College Of Technology At Canton landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Suny College Of Technology At Canton report

#48

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso University came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full Valparaiso University profile

#49

National Louis University

National Louis University offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read the full report on National Louis University

#50

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce placed #50 among the best-value Criminology schools in the United States. See the full Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce profile