Cheapest Criminology Colleges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's most affordable Criminology programs show a massive cost divide between public and private options. Indiana University of Pennsylvania leads at just $17,216 in net costs, while several private colleges charge over $40,000 annually. Public universities like Indiana and Slippery Rock offer the strongest value proposition, with in-state tuition under $12,000. The state's law enforcement market includes major urban centers like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, plus federal agencies and corporate security roles at companies like Comcast and UPMC. Graduation rates vary significantly across the 15 programs, from 42% at Albright College to 77% at Elizabethtown College. Students entering Pennsylvania's criminal justice field can expect starting salaries ranging from $30,409 to $39,592, with debt loads typically around $27,000. The PA State Grant program helps reduce costs for residents, making public options even more attractive for budget-conscious students pursuing careers in law enforcement, corrections, or private security.

Programs

$17,216 – $44,876

Net Price Range

$36,355

Avg. Program Earnings

65.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

20 Criminology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Indiana, Pennsylvania	$17,216	$11,380	52.4%	91.9%
2	Lycoming College Williamsport, Pennsylvania	$19,258	$47,675	59.6%	75.2%
3	Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania	$19,524	$10,507	65.9%	74.3%
4	Rosemont College Rosemont, Pennsylvania	$20,356	$22,171	43.5%	75.6%
5	Carlow University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$20,822	$34,502	55.2%	92.7%
6	Geneva College Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania	$21,043	$33,610	61.5%	79.1%
7	Albright College Reading, Pennsylvania	$21,664	$28,794	42.2%	84.9%
8	Cedar Crest College Allentown, Pennsylvania	$22,909	$44,934	58.2%	84.3%
9	Saint Vincent College Latrobe, Pennsylvania	$23,331	$41,100	72.1%	73.4%
10	Cabrini University Radnor, Pennsylvania	$24,051	$35,815	50.5%	78.5%
11	Chatham University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$25,717	$43,810	66.2%	66.3%
12	Arcadia University Glenside, Pennsylvania	$25,866	$48,290	64.0%	77.6%
13	Eastern University Saint Davids, Pennsylvania	$25,885	$37,420	56.0%	63.2%
14	Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania	$26,198	$36,842	77.1%	81.1%
15	Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania	$27,700	$42,286	60.3%	94.1%
16	Lebanon Valley College Annville, Pennsylvania	$28,132	$50,320	72.5%	76.7%
17	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$31,229	$66,104	96.8%	6.5%
18	Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$35,487	$51,340	79.8%	88.7%
19	Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$38,428	$60,663	77.1%	79.6%
20	Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania	$44,876	$64,701	92.4%	23.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Indiana University of Pennsylvania the cheapest Criminology option?

Indiana University of Pennsylvania offers the lowest net cost at $17,216 annually, with in-state tuition of just $11,380. The public university maintains a 91.94% acceptance rate while producing graduates who earn $32,446 on average. Students typically graduate with $27,000 in debt, making it an accessible choice for Pennsylvania residents seeking affordable criminal justice education.

How do public versus private Criminology programs compare in Pennsylvania?

Public universities like Indiana and Slippery Rock charge under $20,000 in net costs, while most private colleges exceed $25,000 annually. Slippery Rock stands out with a 65.9% graduation rate and $19,524 net cost, significantly outperforming many private alternatives. However, private schools like Elizabethtown College achieve higher graduation rates at 77.1%, though at nearly $10,000 more per year.

Is the earning potential worth the cost difference between schools?

Graduate earnings range from $30,409 to $39,592, with the highest earners coming from Elizabethtown College at $39,592 annually. However, the $9,000 salary difference between top and bottom earners may not justify paying $20,000+ more for private education. Students from affordable public options like Indiana and Slippery Rock earn around $32,000-$33,000, providing solid returns on their lower educational investments.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Pennsylvania Criminology schools?

Graduation rates show no clear correlation with program costs across Pennsylvania's Criminology programs. Expensive Albright College graduates only 42.2% of students despite charging $21,664 annually, while affordable Slippery Rock achieves 65.9% graduation rates. Saint Vincent College leads private schools with 72.1% graduation rates, but costs $23,331 compared to similarly performing public alternatives.

Where can Criminology graduates find employment in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania's criminal justice sector includes opportunities in major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, home to federal agencies and large police departments. Corporate security roles exist at major employers like UPMC, Comcast, and pharmaceutical companies throughout the state. The varied economy supports positions in white-collar crime investigation, healthcare fraud prevention, and cybersecurity, with starting salaries for new graduates ranging from $30,409 to $39,592 annually.

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.