Best colleges for criminology major?

Hello! I'm a junior in high school and really passionate about pursuing criminology in college. I'm trying to compile a list of colleges with strong criminology programs. What are some of the best schools in the U.S. for this major, according to your experiences or research?

Hello! It's fantastic that you're interested in pursuing criminology in college. Finding the right college and program is crucial to ensuring a successful experience, so I'm glad you're doing your research. Here are some colleges with well-regarded criminology programs:

1. University of Maryland, College Park: The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UMD is one of the top-ranked programs in the United States. They are known for their faculty’s involvement in impactful research, policy analysis, and criminal justice reforms.

2. University of Pennsylvania: UPenn offers a Criminology major through their College of Arts and Sciences. It's an interdisciplinary program that incorporates courses from sociology, psychology, law, and public policy. Their Jerry Lee Center of Criminology is a renowned research hub.

3. Florida State University: FSU's College of Criminology and Criminal Justice has been consistently ranked among the top programs for criminology in the country. They offer a variety of research opportunities for undergraduates and have connections to internships and job placements in the field.

4. University of California, Irvine: The Department of Criminology, Law, and Society at UCI is well respected and offers diverse research and internship opportunities for students in topics like youth crime prevention, criminal sentencing, and community-level crime prevention.

5. Pennsylvania State University: Penn State's Department of Sociology and Criminology offers a highly-regarded Criminology major that integrates research, theory, and practice. Students have access to the resources of the Crime, Law, and Justice Laboratory, which promotes research and policy development.

6. Northeastern University: Northeastern's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers a unique focus on global criminology, security studies, and criminal justice policy. They also emphasize experiential learning through their renowned co-op program, which can be valuable in gaining real-world experience in the field.

7. Rutgers University: The School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers is one of the oldest programs in the country and offers a strong foundation in criminology and criminal justice. Students are provided with numerous research opportunities and access to the Rutgers Center on Public Security.

These are just a few examples of great criminology programs in the United States. When compiling your list, consider factors such as location, size, campus culture, and financial aid, as these aspects can also have a significant impact on your overall college experience. Good luck with your search!