Is criminology a lot of math?

Asked by: Ms. Dina Keeling V  |  Last update: February 13, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (41 votes)

Yes, criminology involves a significant amount of math, primarily statistics, for analyzing crime data, trends, and research, with requirements increasing at the graduate level, though it's more about data interpretation than advanced calculus for most roles, focusing on algebra, statistics, and data analysis. Strong quantitative skills are essential for research and data-driven careers in criminal justice, helping understand factors like unemployment or housing and guiding crime prevention, making it more than just basic arithmetic.

Does criminology have a lot of math?

Many other (17) bachelor's degree programs in criminal justice/criminology do not require a specific mathematics course. Of these, 7 offer statistics, 11 offer contemporary math, and 15 offer college algebra as options.

How hard is it to study criminology?

Compared to notoriously challenging majors such as engineering or biochemistry, criminology generally falls in the moderate difficulty range, aligning more closely with social sciences. It is often considered more demanding than majors like communications or general studies but less so than STEM fields.

What degree requires no math?

Some great degrees without math requirements include: Communications. Nursing. English Language and Literature.

What do you major in for criminology?

Majoring in criminology requires the study of diverse disciplines: anthropology, biology, statistics, sociology, psychology, and economics. Criminology majors are equipped to understand crime, determine crime patterns, and provide solutions to reduce and prevent crimes.

The Dangerous Math Used To Predict Criminals

24 related questions found

What is the highest paid criminology job?

The highest-paying criminology-related jobs are typically Lawyers/Attorneys, Judges, and FBI Specialists/Agents, with high earning potential often requiring advanced degrees like a law degree or PhD, while other lucrative paths include Forensic Psychologists, Intelligence Analysts, Security Managers, and Forensic Accountants, all demanding specialized skills and experience, often in federal or private sectors. 

What are the 4 types of criminology?

Criminology is the study of crime from four different perspectives. These include legal, political, sociological, and psychological. Initially, criminology examines crime from a legal point of view.

What careers need no math?

15 Jobs That Don't Require Math

  • Artist – If you'd rather work with your eyes and your hands, a career as an artist could be right for you. ...
  • Writer – As a writer, your world revolves around words instead of numbers.

What is the simplest degree?

Psychology

A bachelor's in psychology ranks among the easiest majors. You can develop skills that apply to varying careers in counseling or marketing. As you complete your undergraduate psychology degree, you'll take classes such as human development, psychology theories, and research in the psychology field.

What major should I choose if I don't like math?

However, by choosing majors that focus on art, literature, foreign languages, and history rather than math, you can build skills that will be more relevant to your career interests.

What GPA do I need for criminology?

Key Things to Know About the Prerequisites for a Criminology Degree. Applicants typically need foundational courses in sociology, psychology, or law with a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0, depending on the institution's competitiveness.

Is criminology worth taking?

For students looking to make a meaningful impact in fields such as policing, corrections, victim advocacy, youth justice, policy or research, a criminology degree can serve as an excellent foundation. In addition, it is also a great way to advance your career as a criminal lawyer.

What are the disadvantages of being a criminologist?

Cons of Being a Criminologist

  • High Education Requirements. Criminologists have serious jobs. ...
  • Stressful Job. A criminologist's job can be extremely stressful. ...
  • Inconvenient Work Hours. ...
  • Dangerous Job. ...
  • Horrifying Crime Scenes. ...
  • Not a lot of Room for Growth. ...
  • Focal Point is Negative. ...
  • Face Strong Competition.

Do I need calculus for criminology?

The major also includes research-related classes, and prospective criminology majors should be prepared to take math courses, particularly in statistics, calculus and data analytics.

Can I be a lawyer if I'm bad at math?

⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️ Math is not a prerequisite of studying the law. However, to be a successful lawyer, you likely will need to need to understand certain aspects of math to best support your clients.

Is forensics math heavy?

Yes, math is crucial in forensic science for everything from basic crime scene measurement (geometry, trigonometry) to advanced analysis like DNA statistics, bloodstain pattern reconstruction (vector analysis), and ballistics, requiring strong skills in algebra, calculus, statistics, and even computational methods to interpret data objectively and present evidence accurately in court.
 

What degree has the least math?

Degrees with the least math are generally in the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, such as English, History, Philosophy, Communications, Foreign Languages, Art, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Education, and some Business fields like Marketing or Management, with most requiring only basic math or introductory statistics instead of calculus. 

How to make $100,000 a year with no degree?

You can earn $100k without a degree through high-demand skilled trades (electrician, plumber, elevator technician), tech roles (software developer, IT), sales (tech, insurance, management), specialized fields (air traffic controller, commercial pilot, nuclear technician, construction manager), or entrepreneurship, focusing on certifications, apprenticeships, experience, and high-value skills over formal education. Success relies on practical expertise and building a portfolio, often bypassing college debt for faster, lucrative entry. 

What degree is not worth it?

5 Degrees That No Longer Hold Up

  • General Liberal Arts (With No Clear Direction) ...
  • Visual And Performing Arts. ...
  • Communications. ...
  • Gender Studies, Ethnic Studies And Similar Fields. ...
  • General Psychology Or Sociology (Undergrad Only) ...
  • Computer Science And IT. ...
  • Nursing. ...
  • Engineering.

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Yes, jobs paying over $400,000 without a college degree exist, with Walmart Store Managers being a prominent example due to increased bonuses and stock, while other high earners include roles in enterprise tech sales, commercial real estate, high-level trades (like nuclear operators, air traffic controllers), and self-made entrepreneurs/influencers, all relying on high skill, performance, and market demand, not just degrees, according to sources from Tallo and The Wall Street Journal. 

Which job pays $1 million per year?

Jobs paying over $1 million annually are typically in C-suite executive leadership, high-level finance (hedge funds, investment banking), specialized medicine (surgeons, radiologists), top-tier tech (senior engineers with equity), high-stakes sales (luxury real estate, large deals), and successful entrepreneurship, often involving performance-based compensation like massive bonuses or equity, long hours, and extreme responsibility for organizational success. 

What majors are not math heavy?

16 college majors with no math

  • Anthropology. Anthropology is the study of humans. ...
  • Linguistics. Linguistics majors study language structure and how humans use it, which means they have a variety of career paths they can take. ...
  • Theology. ...
  • History. ...
  • Psychology. ...
  • Sociology. ...
  • Culinary arts. ...
  • Education.

What do criminologists actually do?

A criminologist studies crime patterns, causes, and prevention by analyzing data from social, psychological, and environmental factors, working behind the scenes to inform law enforcement, policymakers, and communities on effective strategies, and often conducting research, statistical analysis, and policy recommendations rather than investigating individual crimes. They focus on understanding why crime happens to develop solutions for safer communities, working in government, academia, or social services.
 

What major is best for criminology?

The "best" criminology major depends on your goals, but top-ranked universities consistently include University of Maryland (College Park), UC Irvine, Arizona State, University of Cincinnati, and Florida State, offering strong foundations in theory, research, and practical skills, with complementary majors like Statistics or Psychology often boosting career prospects in research, data analysis, or specialized law enforcement roles. 

What are the 5 W's of criminology?

applying the five Ws and H framework – who, where, what, when, why and how.