Ranking
Best Criminology Colleges in California 2026
California State University-Fresno leads this ROI ranking with a A+ value grade and a 21.87 ROI score. EduGradify ranks 12 colleges here by earnings against net price.
12 California colleges offering Criminology, ranked by EduGradify value grade.
- Schools ranked
- 12
- Cheapest net price
- $7,000
- Top earnings 10y
- $80,735
- Public / Private
- 7 / 5
California State University-Fresno
A+- ROI score
- 21.87
- Net price
- $7,000
- Earnings 10y
- $61,244
- Acceptance
- 95.3%
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
A- ROI score
- 15.59
- Net price
- $11,531
- Earnings 10y
- $71,902
- Acceptance
- 75.2%
California State University-San Marcos
A- ROI score
- 15.37
- Net price
- $10,229
- Earnings 10y
- $62,908
- Acceptance
- 95.1%
San Jose State University
A- ROI score
- 14.35
- Net price
- $13,760
- Earnings 10y
- $78,988
- Acceptance
- 84.6%
University of California-Irvine
A- ROI score
- 14.16
- Net price
- $14,251
- Earnings 10y
- $80,735
- Acceptance
- 28.6%
Fresno Pacific University
A- ROI score
- 10.80
- Net price
- $13,630
- Earnings 10y
- $58,896
- Acceptance
- 64.1%
San Diego State University
B- ROI score
- 10.56
- Net price
- $15,364
- Earnings 10y
- $64,909
- Acceptance
- 36.2%
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
B- ROI score
- 9.04
- Net price
- $13,171
- Earnings 10y
- $47,626
- Acceptance
- 98.2%
Mount Saint Mary's University
B- ROI score
- 8.45
- Net price
- $21,413
- Earnings 10y
- $72,379
- Acceptance
- 73.1%
University of La Verne
B- ROI score
- 8.12
- Net price
- $20,161
- Earnings 10y
- $65,464
- Acceptance
- 71.2%
Azusa Pacific University
B- ROI score
- 7.50
- Net price
- $22,212
- Earnings 10y
- $66,677
- Acceptance
- 88.4%
California Lutheran University
C- ROI score
- 5.71
- Net price
- $30,109
- Earnings 10y
- $68,712
- Acceptance
- 75.7%
How we picked this list
This list starts with California schools with positive Criminology program-share evidence, then sorts by EduGradify's school-wide ROI proxy: ten-year median earnings weighed against average net price. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 11.79 (7 public, 5 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
California State University-Fresno in Fresno, CA tops this ranking. EduGradify value grade is A+.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by roi score using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many California colleges are in this list?
12 California colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.