Best Criminology Schools in Pennsylvania (2026)

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Pennsylvania Criminology At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Criminology Salary$83,473
Salary OutlookPennsylvania offers competitive wages for criminology professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyPennsylvania Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online criminology degree in Pennsylvania offers a flexible path into criminology careers. Pennsylvania offers competitive wages for criminology professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Pennsylvania students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Criminology Schools in Pennsylvania

The following schools offer accredited online criminology programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Pennsylvania.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
83.3 BOC Score
Graduation rate 97%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $111,371
Avg net price $28,699/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 98%
  • Programs offered: 188

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Villanova University

Villanova, PA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
77.6 BOC Score
Graduation rate 89%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $100,423
Avg net price $43,756/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 95%
  • Programs offered: 94

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
75.5 BOC Score
Graduation rate 78%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $86,881
Avg net price $29,689/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 88%
  • Programs offered: 106

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA
  • 4 year
73.7 BOC Score
Graduation rate 95%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $80,257
Avg net price $23,149/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 96%
  • Programs offered: 57

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#5

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
62.5 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 61%
Graduation rate 86%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $63,435
Avg net price $32,875/yr
Tuition
In‑state$20,644
Out‑of‑state$41,790
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 92%
  • Programs offered: 214

Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher EducationIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

Saint Vincent College

Latrobe, PA
  • 4 year
59.3 BOC Score
Graduation rate 74%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $59,982
Avg net price $23,510/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 84%
  • Programs offered: 60

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#7

Lycoming College

Williamsport, PA
  • 4 year
54.0 BOC Score
Graduation rate 65%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $56,210
Avg net price $19,140/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 79%
  • Programs offered: 32

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#8

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington

Abington, PA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
43.3 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 97%
Graduation rate 21%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $63,435
Avg net price $18,071/yr
Tuition
In‑state$15,268
Out‑of‑state$25,664
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 77%
  • Programs offered: 35

Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher EducationIPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Pennsylvania

Criminology professionals in Pennsylvania experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Pennsylvania.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Pennsylvania)
Detective and Criminal Investigator$97,580
Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist$67,370
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officer$85,470

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Criminology Degree in Pennsylvania?

Choosing a program in Pennsylvania can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Pennsylvania offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Pennsylvania economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online criminology programs in Pennsylvania accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Criminology pay in Pennsylvania compare to other states?

Pennsylvania offers competitive wages for criminology professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Pennsylvania a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for criminology in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Pennsylvania. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Criminology Programs by City in Pennsylvania

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Allentown · Altoona · Bethel Park · Bethlehem · Bloomsburg · Butler · Chambersburg · Chester · East Stroudsburg · Easton · Erie · Hanover · Harrisburg · Hazleton · Indiana · Johnstown · Lancaster · Lebanon · Lewistown · Meadville · Milton · Monessen · Monroeville · Mount Pocono · Murrysville · New Castle · Norristown · Philadelphia · Pittsburgh · Plum · Pottstown · Pottsville · Reading · Scranton · Shamokin · State College · Sunbury · Uniontown · Waynesboro · Wilkes-Barre · Williamsport · York


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