Best colleges for Criminology in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
East Carolina University, University of North Carolina Wilmington and North Carolina State University at Raleigh award the most Criminology degrees in North Carolina: 198, 118 and 80 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 North Carolina colleges offer Criminology and award 421 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 4 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,076 | 80 | 85% | — | $21,875 |
| 2 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,443 | 118 | 71% | — | $22,915 |
| 3 | William Peace University Raleigh Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,509 | 9 | 45% | $23,108 | $26,000 |
| 4 | Johnson C Smith University Charlotte Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,751 | 7 | 34% | $21,563 | $32,047 |
Colleges awarding the most Criminology degrees in North Carolina
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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Carolina University Greenville Public | 198 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public | 118 | $34,443 |
| 3 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public | 80 | $35,076 |
| 4 | William Peace University Raleigh Private not-for-profit | 9 | $41,509 |
| 5 | Johnson C Smith University Charlotte Private not-for-profit | 7 | $32,751 |
| 6 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public | 7 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 North Carolina colleges offering Criminology
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina University | Winston-Salem | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Sociologists (SOC 19-3041).
Top skills
What Sociologists earn in North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Criminology programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Criminology degrees?+
East Carolina University (198 graduates a year), University of North Carolina Wilmington (118 graduates a year) and North Carolina State University at Raleigh (80 graduates a year) award the most Criminology degrees in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 North Carolina colleges offer Criminology.
Which Criminology program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, North Carolina State University at Raleigh tops the list at $35,076. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Sociologists earn in North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Sociologists in North Carolina is $129,740 (median $126,760), across about 170 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.
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