Best colleges for Criminology in Missouri
Ranked by graduate earnings
Missouri State University - Springfield, University of Missouri-St Louis and University of Missouri-Kansas City award the most Criminology degrees and certificates in Missouri: 147, 65 and 50 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 Missouri colleges offer Criminology and award 344 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…
Top 2 institutions, 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,207 | 65 | 57% | — | $22,801 |
| 2 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,185 | 147 | 58% | — | $24,187 |
Colleges awarding the most Criminology degrees in Missouri
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public | 147 | $36,185 |
| 2 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public | 65 | $38,207 |
| 3 | University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City Public | 50 | Not reported |
| 4 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 5 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
| 6 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 7 | Avila University Kansas City Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 8 | Drury University Springfield Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Webster University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | Cottey College Nevada Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Missouri colleges offering Criminology
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri State University - West Plains | West Plains | Public | 4 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Sociologists (SOC 19-3041).
Top skills
What Sociologists earn in Missouri
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Criminology programs in Missouri.
Which Missouri colleges award the most Criminology degrees?+
Missouri State University - Springfield (147 graduates a year), University of Missouri-St Louis (65 graduates a year) and University of Missouri-Kansas City (50 graduates a year) award the most Criminology degrees and certificates in Missouri, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 Missouri colleges offer Criminology.
Which Criminology program in Missouri has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Missouri-St Louis tops the list at $38,207. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
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.
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