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Cheapest Criminology Colleges in Missouri

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Missouri State University-Springfield offers the most affordable criminology education at just $9,024 in-state tuition, though its graduates earn $33,157 annually. The gap between public and private costs reaches dramatic proportions, with some private institutions charging over $38,000 while public schools average under $12,000. Lindenwood University graduates command the highest salaries at $59,883, nearly doubling the earnings of other programs. Missouri's growing healthcare and defense sectors, anchored by employers like Cerner and BJC HealthCare, create steady demand for criminal justice professionals in corporate security and compliance roles.
10
Programs
$12,323 – $26,196
Net Price Range
$41,880
Avg. Program Earnings
58.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

10 Criminology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,323 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
2 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
3 $14,824 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
4 $16,939 $38,672 42.6% 67.6%
5 $17,502 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
6 $18,154 $26,209 61.4% 73.0%
7 $18,516 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
8 $21,523 $35,235 66.0% 63.4%
9 $26,047 $27,166 71.5% 87.8%
10 $26,196 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What accounts for the $28,000 cost difference between public and private criminology programs?

Public universities like Missouri State receive state funding, keeping in-state tuition at $9,024 to $13,440. Private institutions like Avila University charge $38,672 without state subsidies, though their smaller class sizes and specialized resources justify higher costs for some students.

How do criminology graduate earnings vary across Missouri schools?

Lindenwood University graduates earn $59,883 annually, the highest among Missouri criminology programs. This significantly exceeds the $33,157 earned by Missouri State graduates and $33,993 from University of Missouri-St. Louis, suggesting program focus and networking opportunities influence career outcomes.

Is the University of Missouri-St. Louis worth considering despite its 51% acceptance rate?

The school offers excellent value with $12,323 net costs and manageable $18,504 average debt loads. Its 57% graduation rate exceeds several more expensive alternatives, and the St. Louis location provides internship access with major regional employers.

Does Missouri's A+ Scholarship program help criminology students?

The A+ Scholarship covers community college tuition for eligible students. Many transfer to four-year criminology programs after completing general education requirements, reducing total degree costs by $15,000 to $20,000 compared to starting at universities.

More Criminology Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.