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Most Popular Criminology Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Criminology Schools in California

14 Colleges
$37,821 Avg Salary
$20,932 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Criminology School for You

In 2020-2021, 1,459 degrees and certificates were awarded to criminology students who went to a California college or university. This makes it the #73 most popular major in the state.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Criminology Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 14 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Criminology program at each school on the list.

Check out the criminology programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in California.

Our analysis found University of California - Irvine to be the most popular school for criminology students who want to pursue a degree in California. UC Irvine is a very large public school located in the large city of Irvine.

After completing their degree, criminology graduates from UC Irvine carry an average student debt load of $15,995. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $188.

Full Criminology at University of California - Irvine Report

Out of the 14 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno State is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, criminology graduates from Fresno State carry an average student debt load of $10,017.

Read full report on Criminology at California State University - Fresno

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - San Marcos. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Criminology Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, CSUSM is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, criminology graduates from CSUSM take out $15,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#4

University of La Verne

La Verne, CA

Out of the 14 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of La Verne landed the # 4 spot on the list. ULV is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne.

Criminology majors at ULV take out an average of $26,493 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $453, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#5

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend California Lutheran University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Criminology Schools in California list. Located in the medium-sized city of Thousand Oaks, CLU is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Criminology at California Lutheran University

Humboldt State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Criminology Schools in California ranking. Located in the remote town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

On average, criminology graduates from Humboldt State University take out $18,436 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for criminology students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Pomona, Cal Poly Pomona is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Read full report on Criminology at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

#8

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA

With a ranking of #8, Mount Saint Mary’s University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for criminology students. Located in the city of Los Angeles, MSMU is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, criminology graduates from MSMU take out $31,166 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

Azusa Pacific University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular criminology programs. Azusa Pacific is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Azusa.

Read full report on Criminology at Azusa Pacific University

#10

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for criminology students. It came in at #10 on the list. San Jose State is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose.

Full Criminology at San Jose State University Report

Best Criminology Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Criminology Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 289
Oregon 12
Nevada 177

Criminology is one of 12 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Political Science & Government 49,282
Economics 49,055
Sociology 38,475
General Social Sciences 18,997
International Relations & National Security 14,306

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 14 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 the rest 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.

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