Best colleges for Criminology in Washington
Ranked by graduate earnings
Washington State University, Eastern Washington University and Gonzaga University award the most Criminology degrees and certificates in Washington: 143, 60 and 36 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 4 Washington colleges offer Criminology and award 251 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 | Eastern Washington University Cheney Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,228 | 60 | 43% | — | $19,295 |
| 2 | Gonzaga University Spokane Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,028 | 36 | 86% | $30,006 | $20,994 |
Colleges awarding the most Criminology degrees in Washington
Top 4 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 | Washington State University Pullman Public | 143 | Not reported |
| 2 | Eastern Washington University Cheney Public | 60 | $40,228 |
| 3 | Gonzaga University Spokane Private not-for-profit | 36 | $38,028 |
| 4 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Sociologists (SOC 19-3041).
Top skills
What Sociologists earn in Washington
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Criminology programs in Washington.
Which Washington colleges award the most Criminology degrees?+
Washington State University (143 graduates a year), Eastern Washington University (60 graduates a year) and Gonzaga University (36 graduates a year) award the most Criminology degrees and certificates in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 4 Washington colleges offer Criminology.
Which Criminology program in Washington has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Eastern Washington University tops the list at $40,228. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Sociologists earn in Washington?+
The average annual wage for Sociologists in Washington is $103,430 (median $97,170), across about 130 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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