California · Criminology

Best Criminology institutions in California, ranked by earnings

Criminology is the interdisciplinary study of crime and deviant behavior, situated within the field of social sciences. This program draws from various disciplines, including sociology, psychology, and law, making it ideal for students…

Institutions
16
offering CIP 45.04
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
1,265
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$31,963
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
6
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,964
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
60%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Sociologists
$118,570
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 6 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1California State University - San Marcos
San Marcos Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,69417855%$14,810
2University of California - Irvine
Irvine Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,52240387%$15,865
3University of La Verne
La Verne Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$34,2925363%$45,461$26,000
4California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$31,9634070%$23,129$17,250
5California State University - Fresno
Fresno Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,22436257%$10,773
6California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt
Arcata Public · Bachelor's degree
$29,1232649%$16,849

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Sociologists (SOC 19-3041).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.6%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~300
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$101,690
typically Master's degree

Top skills

SpeakingActive ListeningWritingActive LearningReading ComprehensionCritical Thinking

What Sociologists earn in California

Jobs in California
660
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$118,570
median $120,610
Best-paying metro
$124,480
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Related careers

Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
$75,780 avg · 10,120 jobs
Psychologists, All Other
$130,940 avg · 1,780 jobs
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
$146,040 avg · 1,300 jobs
Sociologists
$118,570 avg · 660 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Criminology programs in California.

Which Criminology program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), California State University - San Marcos tops the list at $34,694. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Sociologists earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Sociologists in California is $118,570 (median $120,610), across about 660 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Criminology program?+

Criminology is the interdisciplinary study of crime and deviant behavior, situated within the field of social sciences. This program draws from various disciplines, including sociology, psychology, and law, making it ideal for students…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop speaking, active listening, writing, active learning, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Sociologists?+

The national job outlook is about +3.6% growth with around 300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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