undergraduate
Criminology
Best schools with criminology
What is a criminology major?
Criminology students study crime as a sociopathological phenomenon, the behavior of criminals, and the social institutions evolved to respond to crime. Classes concentrate on the theory of crime, psychological and social bases of criminal behavior, social value systems and the theory of punishment, criminal law and criminal justice systems, penology, rehabilitation and recidivism, studies of specific types of crime, social attitudes and policy, and applications to specific issues in law enforcement administration and policy.
How much do criminology majors make?
median average salary
$56,000/yr
The national average salary for criminology graduates in the United States is $56,000 per year. Those in the top 10 percent make over $133,000 a year, while the bottom 10 percent make under $24,000 a year. While salary ranges can vary by role, industry, and location, criminology graduates typically make between $38,000 and $90,000 per year.
How popular is criminology as a major?
Each year, around 8,570 students obtain a bachelor’s degree and around 190 students obtain an associate degree in criminology. In 2021, 9,710 students received a bachelor's degree and 217 students received an associate degree. This is 9% more criminology majors than there were in 2020. Criminology is a relatively popular major compared to other criminal justice majors.
