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# Best Criminology Programs in California (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

This page ranks the 6 Criminology programs in California by the median earnings of Criminology graduates four years after completing. [University of California-Irvine](/school/university-of-california-irvine/majors/) leads the list with median earnings of $57,935 for its graduates four years after completing.

Across the listed programs, the reported figure ranges from $57,935 to $28,598, with a median of $51,910. For 1 of the 6 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

Four of the six programs are at public institutions and two are at private nonprofits. University of California-Irvine ranks 12th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

California State University-Fresno posts the lowest average net price on the list, at $7,000. [California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-humboldt/majors/) admits 98% of applicants, the highest admission rate on the page.

## The ranked list

6 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of California-Irvine · Irvine, CA | $57,935 | $14,251 | $8,123 | 28.6% |
|  | [University of California-Irvine](/school/university-of-california-irvine/majors/) ranks 1st on this list with [median earnings of $57,935](/school/university-of-california-irvine/outcomes/) for its Criminology graduates four years after completing, and an admission rate of 29%. |
| 2 | California State University-San Marcos · San Marcos, CA | $55,418 | $10,229 | $6,230 | 95.1% |
|  | [California State University-San Marcos](/school/california-state-university-san-marcos/majors/) posts an [average net price of $10,229](/school/california-state-university-san-marcos/cost/) and median federal debt of $14,810 among Criminology completers who borrowed. |
| 3 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt · Arcata, CA | $55,174 | $13,171 | $8,483 | 98.2% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 98%](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-humboldt/admissions/), [California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-humboldt/majors/) ranks 3rd on this list and reports median earnings of $55,174 for its Criminology graduates four years after completing. |
| 4 | California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA | $48,647 | $7,000 | $5,105 | 95.3% |
|  | [California State University-Fresno](/school/california-state-university-fresno/majors/) [ranks 26th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/california-state-university-fresno/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $7,000. |
| 5 | University of La Verne · La Verne, CA | $47,273 | $20,161 | $20,151 | 71.2% |
|  | A private nonprofit university, [University of La Verne](/school/university-of-la-verne/majors/) reports [median earnings of $47,273](/school/university-of-la-verne/outcomes/) for its Criminology graduates four years after completing and median federal debt of $26,000 among Criminology completers who borrowed. |
| 6 | Mount Saint Mary's University · Los Angeles, CA | $28,598 | $21,413 | $23,849 | 73.1% |
|  | [Mount Saint Mary's University](/school/mount-saint-marys-university/majors/) ranks 6th on this list, with an [average net price of $21,413](/school/mount-saint-marys-university/cost/) and an admission rate of 73%. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Criminology graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in California appear. The figures are medians for federally aided Criminology completers who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 1 of the 6 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range from $57,935 to $28,598 spans $29,337, with University of California-Irvine leading California State University-San Marcos by $2,517.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Criminology Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-criminology-programs/)
-   [Best Colleges in California](/rankings/best-colleges-in-california/)
-   [Best Criminology Programs in New York](/rankings/best-criminology-programs-in-new-york/)
-   [Best Criminology Programs in Texas](/rankings/best-criminology-programs-in-texas/)
-   Criminology Programs in Florida
-   Criminology Programs in Massachusetts