Criminology: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Criminology graduates earn a median $55,556 four years after finishing — $7,196/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,906/yr net price ($67,624 over four years), that pays back in about 9.4 years. Federal data pools 191 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 9,212 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Criminology ranks #134 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 34% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Massachusetts Global | CA | $75,745 |
| 2 | University of Miami | FL | $70,461 |
| 3 | University of St Thomas | MN | $70,419 |
| 4 | Saint Anselm College | NH | $69,676 |
| 5 | Gonzaga University | WA | $68,190 |
| 6 | Assumption University | MA | $67,883 |
| 7 | Emmanuel College | MA | $67,814 |
| 8 | University of Maryland-College Park | MD | $67,258 |
| 9 | Maryville University of Saint Louis | MO | $66,612 |
| 10 | University of Nevada-Reno | NV | $66,273 |
| 11 | Le Moyne College | NY | $65,956 |
| 12 | Stonehill College | MA | $64,957 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.