Compare 117 Criminology. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $45,736. Top programs: $74,408+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Criminology tells a different story. Across 117 programs, earnings range from $52,536 to $74,408—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Villanova University's Criminology program leads with graduates earning $74,408, well above the $45,736 average. But the surprise is accessibility: Gonzaga University delivers $69,525 earnings with a 76% acceptance rate, proving regional programs compete directly with selective institutions in producing strong career outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Villanova graduates borrow $25,874 and face just a 6.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families including parent loans, University of Houston-Clear Lake leads with a 15.1% burden—manageable debt that won't crush graduates financially.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $74,408 | 15 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Challenging |
| #2 | Gonzaga UniversityPrivate | $69,525 | 34 | $24,454 | Excellent | $37,652 | Challenging |
| #3 | Saint Joseph's UniversityPrivate | $66,640 | 21 | $25,500 | Excellent | $42,436 | Challenging |
| #4 | Saint Anselm CollegePrivate | $64,949 | 44 | $27,000 | Good | $59,736 | High |
| #5 | Lebanon Valley CollegePrivate | $63,773 | 10 | $27,000 | Good | $42,888 | High |
| #6 | University Of DelawarePublic | $60,214 | 132 | $24,572 | Good | $43,000 | High |
| #7 | $60,067 | 353 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Challenging | |
| #8 | Mount St. Mary's UniversityPrivate | $59,772 | 24 | $25,391 | Good | $42,721 | High |
| #9 | $56,907 | 46 | $20,121 | Good | $23,000 | Challenging | |
| #10 | Lasell UniversityPrivate | $56,726 | 21 | $26,000 | Good | $40,506 | High |
| #11 | University Of St ThomasPrivate | $56,600 | 21 | $23,250 | Good | $24,467 | Challenging |
| #12 | $56,423 | 31 | $19,060 | Excellent | $17,050 | Manageable | |
| #13 | Stonehill CollegePrivate | $55,475 | 72 | $25,000 | Good | $58,576 | High |
| #14 | $55,104 | 59 | $21,500 | Good | $24,455 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $54,123 | 46 | $17,831 | Excellent | $14,731 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $53,581 | 80 | $25,000 | Good | $22,757 | Challenging | |
| #17 | Hofstra UniversityPrivate | $53,107 | 47 | $23,621 | Good | $56,149 | High |
| #18 | $52,887 | 111 | $25,000 | Good | $16,878 | Challenging | |
| #19 | $52,600 | 56 | $25,000 | Good | $20,284 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $52,536 | 55 | $26,814 | Manageable | $36,545 | High | |
| #21 | University Of La VernePrivate | $52,520 | 55 | $23,500 | Good | $27,977 | High |
| #22 | $52,213 | 28 | $26,000 | Manageable | $27,371 | High | |
| #23 | Cabrini UniversityPrivate | $52,060 | 15 | $26,000 | Manageable | $33,000 | High |
| #24 | $52,013 | 163 | $18,922 | Good | $26,150 | Challenging | |
| #25 | $51,428 | 59 | $22,024 | Good | $22,127 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
