Best Bachelor's In Criminology Degrees

Uncertain about your future? Crack the case with one of the nation's best Bachelor's in Criminology degrees.

Do you want to better your local community? Or national and international communities? Are you fascinated by the social and economic influences on criminal behavior? Do you envision yourself creating and implementing innovative prevention plans that can keep communities healthy, safe, and vibrant?

Then a degree in criminology may be just for you!

Accredited Online College Programs

Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.

What kind of Criminology degree should you get?

Though each of the 35 programs on this list will provide a foundation in criminology fundamentals, from the justice system to deviant behavior, they each have their own emphasis and structure.

For example, some programs stress the importance of statistics and research methodology, which are ideal for those who want to go into criminal data analytics and prevention. Others emphasize the societal implications behind crime, giving students insight into the relationship between crime and gender, race, class, and orientation.

Choose the program which best reflects your interest and will offer the kind of learning opportunities you desire, such as an internship, field experience, or study abroad programs.

You should also think about online or distance learning. Online education is both a flexible and affordable way to advance your education and career. So, be sure to check out College Choice's50 Best Online Criminal Justice degrees.

What can you do with a Criminology degree?

A degree in criminology sets you up for many career opportunities in a range of settings and industries.

Whether you want to work for a small, local police agency or the Federal Bureau of Investigation, whether you want to throw cuffs on the bad guy or work alongside victims as their advocate, a degree in criminology will help you get there.

This is in no way an exhaustive list, but it gives you an idea of the diverse range of opportunities you'll have after graduation:

Forensic Psychology
Private Investigate
Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation
Crime Scene Investigation
Social Work and Victimology

How much money do people make with a Bachelor's in Criminology?

Because a degree in criminology can result in so many career options, the average salary for one with the degree can be difficult to determine. However, rest assured that a career in criminology will serve you well financially after graduation and beyond.

For example, while corrections officers make around $43,510 a year, police officers and detectives make around $62,960 annually. Furthermore, if you want to use your degree to become a sociologist (and many of the programs below are heavy in sociology), you can make upwards of $79,650 a year.

What are the requirements for a Bachelor's in Criminology degree?

Because these programs are four-year undergraduate degrees you should expect the first two years of your program to consist of general education core classes in the humanities and sciences. You'll probably also take a few introductory courses in your major. This may include such classes as:

Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice
Statistics and Research Methodology
Sociology

Once you have these under your belt you'll be ready for your higher level criminology classes. These will cover criminal theory, the justice systems, legal issues, and more. It'll be around this time too that you will have the opportunity to explore unique aspects of crime through electives, from "Crime and Inequality" to "Victimology and Victim Services."

Finally, most of these programs require either an internship or a field experience. We've been sure to note which.