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Best Criminology Schools in California

California has 7 colleges offering Criminology programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 857 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $31,093 on average within two years — 9% below the national average of $34,133. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

7
Schools in CA
$31,093
CA Avg. Earnings
$34,133
National Avg.
108
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Criminology in California

Public Schools (5)
$31,874
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (2)
$29,142
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in California produce comparable or higher early earnings for Criminology graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Criminology Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

#1
U

University of Massachusetts Global

Aliso Viejo, CA · Public

$37,671
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $46,624
Graduates: 73
Acceptance: N/A
#2
C

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$33,410
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,316
Graduates: 205
Acceptance: 95.7%
#3
C

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public

$29,902
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,453
Graduates: 63
Acceptance: 96.4%
#4
U

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$29,788
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,048
Graduates: 413
Acceptance: 25.6%
#5
U

University of La Verne

La Verne, CA · Private

$29,685
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,774
Graduates: 42
Acceptance: 48.5%
#6
C

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public

$28,598
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,569
Graduates: 61
Acceptance: 98.8%
#7
M

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$28,598
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 68.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Criminology in California?
University of Massachusetts Global ranks #1 for Criminology in California with median graduate earnings of $37,671 within two years of graduation. There are 7 schools offering Criminology programs in the state.
How much do Criminology graduates earn in California?
Criminology graduates in California earn an average of $31,093 within two years of graduation. This is 9% below the national average of $34,133 for this major.
What is the hardest Criminology school to get into in California?
University of California-Irvine is the most selective Criminology program in California with an acceptance rate of 25.6%. The average acceptance rate across Criminology programs in the state is 72.3%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Criminology in California?
In California, private Criminology programs produce average earnings of $29,142 vs $31,874 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 5 public and 2 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Engineering, General $76,184 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Manufacturing Engineering $73,841 Engineering-Related Fields $73,096 Computer Science $72,889
All colleges in California →

Criminology in Other States

Pennsylvania Ohio Florida New York Texas Massachusetts Missouri Virginia Puerto Rico Illinois Iowa New Jersey View All →

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.