University of Northern Iowa stands out with a net price of just $14,609 for criminology students, nearly $4,000 below its closest competitor. This gap becomes even more striking when considering that UNI graduates earn $38,289 annually with only $20,278 in debt. Iowa's insurance industry, led by companies like Principal Financial, creates steady demand for criminal justice professionals who understand fraud investigation and risk assessment.
6
Programs
$14,609 – $23,172
Net Price Range
$40,353
Avg. Program Earnings
51.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate
6 Criminology Programs
| # | School | Net Price | In-State Tuition | Graduation Rate | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa
|
$14,609 | $9,728 | 68.9% | 95.0% |
| 2 |
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa
|
$18,321 | $40,190 | 47.3% | 77.3% |
| 3 |
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
|
$21,398 | $10,964 | 73.1% | 86.0% |
| 4 |
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, Iowa
|
$21,590 | $35,534 | 49.4% | |
| 5 |
William Penn University
Oskaloosa, Iowa
|
$22,115 | $28,750 | 29.2% | 57.7% |
| 6 |
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, Iowa
|
$23,172 | $19,000 | 41.5% | 54.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes University of Northern Iowa the most affordable option?
UNI's in-state tuition of $9,728 combined with generous aid brings the net price to $14,609. Students graduate with manageable debt of $20,278 and achieve a solid 68.90% graduation rate.
How do private school costs compare to public options?
Private colleges range from $18,321 to $23,172 in net costs, significantly higher than UNI's public pricing. However, Briar Cliff University graduates earn $42,682, the highest among Iowa criminology programs.
Is the graduation rate gap between schools concerning?
Graduation rates vary dramatically from 29.20% at William Penn University to 73.10% at University of Iowa. This 44-point spread suggests major differences in student support and academic rigor across programs.
More Criminology Rankings
Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.