Massachusetts · Criminology

Best colleges for Criminology in Massachusetts

Ranked by graduate earnings

Framingham State University, Stonehill College and Lasell University are the top bachelor's Criminology programs in Massachusetts by graduate earnings. Framingham State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $41,431, College Scorecard. Lasell University, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and Framingham State University award the most Criminology degrees in Massachusetts: 78, 59 and 41 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Massachusetts colleges offer Criminology and award 240 degrees and certificates a year in all.

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
6
offering CIP 45.04
States offered
47
with a program page
Degrees / yr
240
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$40,527
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
6
College Scorecard
Median net price
$24,206
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
63%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Sociologists
$123,460
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 6 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Framingham State University
Framingham Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,4314148%—$25,974
2Stonehill College
Easton Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$40,9284176%$24,000$25,000
3Lasell University
Newton Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$40,5277859%$23,724$27,000
4University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
North Dartmouth Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,5355952%—$27,000
5Assumption University
Worcester Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$48,600675%$24,206$27,000
6Emmanuel College
Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$36,8241568%$29,723$26,348

Colleges awarding the most Criminology degrees in Massachusetts

Top 6 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Lasell University
Newton Private not-for-profit
78$40,527
2University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
North Dartmouth Public
59$37,535
3Framingham State University
Framingham Public
41$41,431
4Stonehill College
Easton Private not-for-profit
41$40,928
5Emmanuel College
Boston Private not-for-profit
15$36,824
6Assumption University
Worcester Private not-for-profit
6$48,600

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 Massachusetts

Jobs in Massachusetts
250
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$123,460
median $106,530
Best-paying metro
$123,880
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Related careers

Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
$69,130 avg · 1,140 jobs
Psychologists, All Other
$120,730 avg · 500 jobs
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
$91,730 avg · 380 jobs
Sociologists
$123,460 avg · 250 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Criminology programs in Massachusetts.

Which Massachusetts colleges award the most Criminology degrees?+

Lasell University (78 graduates a year), University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (59 graduates a year) and Framingham State University (41 graduates a year) award the most Criminology degrees in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Massachusetts colleges offer Criminology.

What is the best college for Criminology in Massachusetts?+

By graduate earnings, Framingham State University leads among bachelor's Criminology programs in Massachusetts, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $41,431, College Scorecard. Stonehill College and Lasell University follow. By degrees awarded, Lasell University is the largest, with 78 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Framingham State University tops the list at $41,431. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Sociologists earn in Massachusetts?+

The average annual wage for Sociologists in Massachusetts is $123,460 (median $106,530), across about 250 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

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).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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