Criminology graduates earn $55,556 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,042 and $73,111. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers Criminology as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Social Sciences and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Criminology is a focused area of study within Social Sciences. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $55,556 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 241 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 10,609 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$37,476
Median Earnings · 4yr
$55,556
Colleges Offering
241
Graduates / Year
10,609
Avg Net Price / yr
$15,355
How Much Do Criminology Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Criminology, a typical graduate earns $55,556, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $41,042 and $73,111, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $37,476 at one year out to $55,556 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$55,556
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$55,621
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Criminology graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$41,04225th pct.
$55,556Median
$73,11175th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $55,556 and an estimated $61,420 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.4 years.
Based on outcomes from 222 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 10,609 students who complete Criminology programs each year, the majority (90%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
90%
Bachelor's90%
Master's8%
Associate's2%
What Can You Do With a Criminology Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Criminology graduates show up in 1 different occupations, and Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers pay the most at $76,590/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as criminal law, defensive policing, and investigation techniques.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Top Colleges for Criminology
Not sure where to study Criminology? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Criminology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Social Sciences Programs
Criminology is not the only path through Social Sciences: 12 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Criminology program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Criminology shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $55,556 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $37,476 at graduation to $55,556 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Slow job growthTop related careers project less than 3% growth over the next decade; limited expansion means more competition for new openings.
Criminology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Criminology graduates earn?
$55,556 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $41,042 and $73,111, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Criminology degree?
$37,476 in the first year out. That grows to $55,556 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Criminology degree?
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers are one path, and it pays a median of $76,590 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Criminology program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Criminology bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Criminology?
241 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Criminology degree worth it?
$55,556 median earnings four years out against $15,355 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Criminology and Social Sciences?
Criminology is the narrower of the two: Social Sciences covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Criminology-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Criminology graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Criminology graduates consistently look for research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Related Social Sciences Programs
Other programs in Social Sciences. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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