Indiana University of Pennsylvania's bachelor's degree program in criminology has been ranked sixth in the nation as a “Best Bachelor's Degree” by Study.com.
IUP's program is the only degree program offered by a Pennsylvania university in the top 23 ranked programs.
Study.com editors select programs for rankings based on programs that provide a high-value education, while still being accessible and affordable. Study.com's rankings include only accredited, nonprofit public and private schools, and editors use an objective approach to judging schools, including use of a unique ranking system, which combines current data points from the US Department of Education with school-specific details.
Rankings related to value are based on retention rates, graduation rates, student-faculty ratio, career resources and job placement, and student loan default rates.
IUP's criminology bachelor's degree program, housed in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, is fully accredited. Students can earn a bachelor of arts with a major in criminology and the bachelor of arts with a major in criminology pre-law. Students can also minor in criminology. Students can take advantage of a robust internship program.
“This ranking validates the sentiment of the department faculty,” Dan Lee, chair of the IUP Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, said. “We have a strong and respected program with a long history of success. We offer our students a broad understanding of the many issues related to why people engage in crime and how our system of justice should respond. Our students leave with confidence that they can make a difference, and the lists of accomplishments from our alumni show that they are doing this.”
This ranking follows decades of accolades, including recognition of the master's program in criminology and criminal justice; recognition for IUP for 16 consecutive years as one of the country's best colleges by the Princeton Review; and by Washington Monthly magazine's national rankings of schools based on their contributions to society.
IUP offers more than 140 undergraduate majors and more than 60 graduate programs, including 14 doctoral programs. In addition, students can complete more than 65 minors and scores of specialized tracks and certificate programs, including certificates in athletic coaching, gerontology, photography and digital imaging, popular music, and public history.