Key takeaways
- There are over 60 good colleges in Colorado, including public and private institutions, offering a wide range of criminology and related programs.
- The best colleges in Colorado for criminology majors include Colorado State University, the University of Colorado Denver, the University of Northern Colorado, and the Metropolitan State University of Denver.
- Many of the top colleges in Colorado offer high acceptance rates that allow students from all academic backgrounds to get their chance.
- While some colleges like Colorado State University have higher GPA requirements (average 3.7), others like MSU Denver offer lower GPA thresholds (average 2.6).
- There is a thriving job market in Colorado for tech, tourism, and energy industries.
- Reports suggest a steady maintenance and growth of employment rates in the state to be higher than in other areas.
- Students can pursue various criminology specializations depending on their career goals and professional needs, including victimology, juvenile justice, forensic science, and legal studies.
- Studying in Colorado is an incredible chance to get exposure to the metropolitan areas of Denver, which is the hub of all job opportunities in Colorado.
Choosing the most suitable college major is one of the most important steps in your college planning. If you have recently uncovered your passion for studying criminology, you should definitely explore the good colleges in Colorado that offer relevant degrees.
Colorado is home to over 60 officially recognized colleges, including public and private both. The state, with its dynamic job market and a variety of educational institutions, offers a prime location for students seeking an ideal study destination for a bachelor’s degree in criminology.
Whether you are interested in law enforcement, forensic science, corrections, or legal professions, the state’s colleges provide diverse programs tailored to various criminology specializations. Learn about the job market and good colleges in Colorado that offer a suitable major for you.
Where to study criminology from colleges in Colorado?
Once you have aligned your academic and career goals, you must dive straight into finding the best colleges in Colorado. Explore colleges in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as well as other major cities like Denver. There is an exceptional variety of private and public colleges in Colorado, so you will be able to find the best academic opportunities here. Let’s take a look at some of the top colleges in Colorado here.
Colorado State University — best overall
Many colleges offer criminology as a minor subject or field that students can add to their social sciences degrees. At Colorado State University, you can enroll in the criminology minors whilst studying a sociology major.
The criminology minor at CSU develops critical thinking and research capabilities that allow students to tackle crime and criminal behavior through the lens of contemporary and modern theories. The program focuses on preparing students to deal with real-world problems through a combination of theoretical and practical learning.
Moreover, CSU is one of the top colleges in Colorado, with an excellent acceptance rate of 91%. However, it does have a slightly high school GPA requirement of an average of 3.7. This is a popular college in Fort Collins, CO, that offers many great advantages such as diverse housing options and an ethnically diverse student body.
| Location:
Fort Collins, CO |
GPA requirement:
3.7 |
Acceptance rate:
91% |
Tuition fee:
$12,896 for in-state & $33,752 for out-of-state students Prices exclude housing and other fees. |
University of Colorado Denver — best criminology program
Given the incredible employment statistics and job opportunities in Denver, it is important to not miss out on the academic opportunities there. The University of Colorado is one of the best colleges in Denver, Colorado. It is a public college set in an urban area, allowing students to have easy access to a vibrant city life and many facilities like public transport.
Furthermore, the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado, Denver, offers the most extensive list of undergraduate degrees in criminal justice, law enforcement, and policymaking. You can opt for the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice to pursue a criminology career.
The program focuses thoroughly on interdisciplinary teachings that allow students to explore multiple avenues and dimensions of crime and crime studies. Additionally, you can continue higher studies by opting for a master’s degree in the same or related field.
| Location:
Denver, CO |
GPA requirement:
3.5 |
Acceptance rate:
75% |
Tuition fee:
$11,406 per year for in-state & $29,598 per year for out-of-state students Prices exclude housing and other fees. |
University of Northern Colorado — best campus life
Many students who wish to pursue a degree in criminology are inclined toward criminal justice. Working in the justice system can be rewarding in many ways, as it allows you to not only work hands-on with criminal cases but also contribute to the overall criminal justice system.
Therefore, the University of Northern Colorado offers a suitable program to prepare students for a career in the criminal justice field. It offers a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system.
Moreover, the program covers key areas such as law enforcement, corrections, courts, and criminal behavior, preparing graduates for a wide range of careers in the field. The curriculum is rooted in both theoretical knowledge and practical application
Lastly, the college has an acceptance rate of 84%, with an average GPA requirement of 3.5. The college is situated in the northeast of Denver, allowing students a good campus life.
| Location:
Greeley, CO |
GPA requirement:
3.5 |
Acceptance rate:
84% |
Tuition fee:
$12,416 for in-state & $27,266 for out-of-state students. Prices exclude housing and other fees. |
Metropolitan State University of Denver — lowest GPA requirement
When looking for good colleges in Colorado, students often find it hard to get an easier admission if they have a lower high school GPA. To overcome this issue, you should narrow down your college options to entities that have a higher acceptance rate and also require moderate or lower high school grades.
To find a comprehensive criminology degree in a college with a lower GPA requirement, explore the program offered by the Metropolitan State University of Denver. At MSU Denver, you can enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology, designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the criminal justice system and the societal impacts of crime.
Moreover, the program coursework is quite comprehensive, focusing mostly on legal applications of criminology. It focuses on various aspects of law enforcement and legal industry, including courtroom proceedings and real-world case studies.
The program is taught by nationally recognized faculty members, who have been active members of the criminal justice system. Most notably, its average GPA requirement for admission to undergraduate degrees is 2.6, with an exceptional acceptance rate of 98%.
| Location:
Denver, CO |
GPA requirement:
2.6 |
Acceptance rate:
98% |
Tuition fee:
$10,690 for in-state & $29,630 for out-of-state students. Prices exclude housing and other charges. |
Career opportunities after studying criminology at good colleges in Colorado
Students choose college majors depending on what best aligns with their career goals and passions, as well as the prospects for the degree. Therefore, if you have decided to study criminology in Colorado, you must explore the job opportunities and career paths that you can select.
The jobs you qualify for and aim for will depend significantly on the specialization you select during your degree. Some of the most common criminology specializations offered by colleges include:
- Victimology
- Forensic science
- Legal
- Corrections
- Juvenile justice
Moreover, a large variety of jobs are available. You must make sure that you select a job or profession that aligns with your educational background, as well as personal references. With the right degree advice and guidance, you can make informed choices. Popular criminology degree jobs include:
- Youth worker
- Solicitor
- Social worker
- Social researcher
- Private investigator
- Prison officer
- Political risk analyst
- Policy officer
- Police officer
- Paralegal
- Local government officer
- Intelligence analyst
- Immigration officer
- Housing manager/officer
- Government officer
- Forensic scientist
- Criminologist
- Crime scene technician
- Crime analyst
- Counselor
- Correctional officer
- Community worker
- Civil service administrator
- Charity worker
- Charity officer
- Border Force officer
- Barrister
- Adult guidance worker
Reports by Zippia show that there has been a steady increase in the rate of employment in the criminology sector. The report also shows a steady rise in the average pay scale for criminology professionals. If you too want to become a part of the workforce, learn how to become a criminologist. Here are some common industries that offer the best career opportunities to criminology graduates.
Some of these industries include the following:
Law enforcement
The most prevailing and thriving job market for criminology degrees is in the law enforcement industry. You can take up various roles such as police officer, probation officer, and paralegal. To be successful in this industry, you must acquire essential skills such as communication, collaboration, and teamwork.
Corrections and rehabilitation
Criminology degrees typically focus on teaching students ways to explore crimes, investigate, and come up with improvements for the justice system. A huge part of criminology is working towards the prevention of crimes in the future, and facilitating better rehabilitation for criminals. In corrections and rehabilitation, you can explore job roles such as rehabilitation officers, parole officers, and prison managers.
Legal professions
Legal professions require some qualifications in law and legal studies. So, you can opt for a law specialization in your criminology degree and further complement it with training programs and certifications. Jobs in this industry may include roles like case manager, criminal lawyer, paralegal, and legal secretary.
What is the job market like in Colorado?
Many industries have been in the spotlight in Colorado, particularly tech, IT, and energy industries. According to reports, these industries have seen steady growth after the pandemic, with the employment numbers being much better in Colorado than in other states in the U.S.
Particularly, the Denver metropolitan area is the hub for jobs in industries like tech and tourism. However, due to the high living costs in Denver, you should explore other cities and the opportunities there.
Moreover, Colorado has maintained a low employment rate for the past few years, significantly better than other states. According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), employment recovery after the COVID pandemic has been excellent, and projects further growth in 2024 and years to come.
As for a criminology degree job in Colorado, you would not be disappointed either. There is an able demand for candidates in jobs related to corrections and law enforcement. Additionally, cybersecurity job roles are also on the rise, with more and more demand every day. You will also find government or state-level job openings frequently coming up for criminology degree holders.
Study criminology at good colleges in Colorado today!
In conclusion, there is no shortage of good colleges in Colorado that offer a suitable degree to match your passion and career goals. Moreover, the job and employment trends in Colorado are also extremely favorable. Still on the fence about pursuing criminology as a career, here are some frequently asked questions about the criminology program.
Enrolling in a criminology program in Colorado offers you the chance to study in a state known for its strong job market and thriving industries. With numerous career paths available, including law enforcement and cybersecurity, criminology graduates can opt for a variety of opportunities.
However, some colleges may not offer a standalone criminology degree. Yet, you can take that opportunity to diversify your academic background and create a combination of disciplines such as sociology and psychology with crime studies.
Overall, the best colleges in Colorado should meet your career and personal goals. Therefore, a careful consideration of factors like program coursework and acceptance rate is important. Start your journey today by exploring the top criminology colleges in Colorado, and take the first step towards making a significant impact in the field.