Compare 114 Criminology. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $54,204. Top programs: $74,408+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Criminology tells a different story. Across 114 programs, earnings range from $28,212 to $74,408—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The school you've heard of isn't necessarily the one whose criminology graduates land the strongest salaries.
Villanova University leads with criminology graduates earning $74,408—well above the $54,204 national average across all 114 ranked programs. Close behind, the University of Miami ($70,461) and University of St. Thomas ($70,419) both clear $70K, demonstrating that strong outcomes aren't exclusive to the most selective or widely recognized institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Miami criminology graduates borrow $17,500 in student loans and face just a 5.0% payment burden, earning an 'Excellent' GPS affordability rating. For families factoring in parent loans, Maryville University of Saint Louis posts the lowest combined burden at 13.6%—manageable by any measure. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $74,408
Strong outcomes ($70,419) with 85% acceptance rate
5.0% payment burden | Excellent — payment under 8% of discretionary
13.6% family burden | Manageable — payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $74,408 | 21 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Challenging |
| #2 | University Of MiamiPrivate | $70,461 | 48 | $17,500 | Excellent | $37,267 | Manageable |
| #3 | University Of St ThomasPrivate | $70,419 | 16 | $23,250 | Excellent | $24,467 | Manageable |
| #4 | Saint Anselm CollegePrivate | $69,676 | 48 | $27,000 | Excellent | $59,736 | High |
| #5 | Gonzaga UniversityPrivate | $68,190 | 44 | $24,454 | Excellent | $37,652 | Challenging |
| #6 | Assumption UniversityPrivate | $67,883 | 16 | $27,000 | Good | $45,926 | Challenging |
| #7 | Emmanuel CollegePrivate | $67,814 | 20 | $27,000 | Good | $41,546 | Challenging |
| #8 | $67,258 | 397 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $66,612 | 16 | $22,000 | Excellent | $18,781 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $66,273 | 18 | $18,922 | Excellent | $26,150 | Manageable | |
| #11 | Le Moyne CollegePrivate | $65,956 | 12 | $23,000 | Excellent | $33,751 | Challenging |
| #12 | Stonehill CollegePrivate | $64,957 | 60 | $25,000 | Good | $58,576 | High |
| #13 | Pacific UniversityPrivate | $64,029 | 7 | $23,223 | Excellent | $33,960 | Challenging |
| #14 | Valparaiso UniversityPrivate | $63,772 | 6 | $26,942 | Good | $28,500 | Challenging |
| #15 | University Of DelawarePublic | $63,553 | 157 | $24,572 | Good | $43,000 | Challenging |
| #16 | $63,365 | 58 | $23,188 | Excellent | $18,635 | Manageable | |
| #17 | Regis UniversityPrivate | $63,255 | 10 | $25,000 | Good | $17,700 | Manageable |
| #18 | $61,950 | 142 | $22,300 | Excellent | $19,642 | Manageable | |
| #19 | Lycoming CollegePrivate | $61,144 | 39 | $27,000 | Good | $31,827 | Challenging |
| #20 | Niagara UniversityPrivate | $60,995 | 61 | $25,475 | Good | $25,200 | Challenging |
| #21 | University Of IowaPublic | $60,947 | 86 | $22,500 | Good | $27,975 | Challenging |
| #22 | Hamline UniversityPrivate | $60,757 | 45 | $23,770 | Good | $22,739 | Manageable |
| #23 | The University Of TampaPrivate | $60,742 | 120 | $24,211 | Good | $53,549 | High |
| #24 | Hofstra UniversityPrivate | $60,697 | 35 | $23,621 | Good | $56,149 | High |
| #25 | St. John Fisher UniversityPrivate | $60,481 | 28 | $23,250 | Good | $37,716 | 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
