Compare 115 Criminology. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $54,194. 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 | 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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
