Criminology: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 126 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$152,743 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
24.4 yrsModeled economic break-even
−59%Modeled 10-year ROI
$55,621Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$55,621Median reported earnings · year 4
$54,511Average reported earnings · year 5
$25,000Median federal debt
35thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
126Reporting programs
119With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $45,431
- Federal debt
- $22,744
- Reporting programs
- 2
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $55,621
- Federal debt
- $25,000
- Reporting programs
- 126
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $67,163
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 15
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $73,972
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$50,514National median$55,62175th percentile$59,549
119 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1University of Massachusetts Global$75,7452University of Miami$70,4613University of St Thomas$70,4194Saint Anselm College$69,6765Gonzaga University$68,1906Assumption University$67,8837Emmanuel College$67,8148University of Maryland-College Park$67,2589Maryville University of Saint Louis$66,61210University of Nevada-Reno$66,273Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1111 · 1 crosswalk linksLife, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All OtherSOC 19-4099 · 1 crosswalk linksManagers, All OtherSOC 11-9199 · 1 crosswalk linksPsychologists, All OtherSOC 19-3039 · 1 crosswalk linksSociologistsSOC 19-3041 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Massachusetts GlobalBachelor's Degree | Aliso Viejo, CA | $75,745 | $25,725 | -1% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | University of MiamiBachelor's Degree | Coral Gables, FL | $70,461 | $16,500 | -23% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | University of St ThomasBachelor's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $70,419 | $27,000 | -14% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Saint Anselm CollegeBachelor's Degree | Manchester, NH | $69,676 | $27,000 | -23% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | Gonzaga UniversityBachelor's Degree | Spokane, WA | $68,190 | $20,994 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | Assumption UniversityBachelor's Degree | Worcester, MA | $67,883 | $27,000 | -23% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | Emmanuel CollegeBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $67,814 | $26,348 | -20% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | University of Maryland-College ParkBachelor's Degree | College Park, MD | $67,258 | $19,500 | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | Maryville University of Saint LouisBachelor's Degree | Saint Louis, MO | $66,612 | Not available | -19% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | University of Nevada-RenoBachelor's Degree | Reno, NV | $66,273 | $19,500 | -13% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Le Moyne CollegeBachelor's Degree | Syracuse, NY | $65,956 | $27,000 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Stonehill CollegeBachelor's Degree | Easton, MA | $64,957 | $25,000 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Pacific UniversityBachelor's Degree | Forest Grove, OR | $64,029 | Not available | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | Valparaiso UniversityBachelor's Degree | Valparaiso, IN | $63,772 | $27,000 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | University of DelawareBachelor's Degree | Newark, DE | $63,553 | $23,685 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterBachelor's Degree | Whitewater, WI | $63,365 | $26,000 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | Regis UniversityBachelor's Degree | Denver, CO | $63,255 | $39,337 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Central Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's Degree | New Britain, CT | $61,950 | $23,995 | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | Lycoming CollegeBachelor's Degree | Williamsport, PA | $61,144 | $27,000 | -37% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | University at AlbanyBachelor's Degree | Albany, NY | $61,102 | $21,250 | -35% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | Niagara UniversityBachelor's Degree | Niagara University, NY | $60,995 | $27,000 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | University of IowaBachelor's Degree | Iowa City, IA | $60,947 | $23,250 | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | Hamline UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $60,757 | $26,500 | -40% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | The University of TampaBachelor's Degree | Tampa, FL | $60,742 | $25,000 | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | Hofstra UniversityBachelor's Degree | Hempstead, NY | $60,697 | $25,000 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | St. John Fisher UniversityBachelor's Degree | Rochester, NY | $60,481 | $24,750 | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Mount St. Mary's UniversityBachelor's Degree | Emmitsburg, MD | $60,428 | $27,000 | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Framingham State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Framingham, MA | $59,857 | $25,974 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | University of Minnesota-DuluthBachelor's Degree | Duluth, MN | $59,754 | $23,887 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Durham, NH | $59,549 | $27,000 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | University of Southern MaineBachelor's Degree | Portland, ME | $59,270 | $23,565 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Oklahoma Wesleyan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bartlesville, OK | $59,143 | Not available | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Marquette UniversityBachelor's Degree | Milwaukee, WI | $59,083 | $25,000 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $59,022 | $20,500 | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Ohio State University-Mansfield CampusBachelor's Degree | Mansfield, OH | $58,865 | $21,922 | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $58,865 | $21,922 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Mount St. Joseph UniversityBachelor's Degree | Cincinnati, OH | $58,825 | Not available | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Drexel UniversityBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $58,751 | $27,000 | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Albright CollegeBachelor's Degree | Reading, PA | $58,540 | Not available | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | Lebanon Valley CollegeBachelor's Degree | Annville, PA | $58,447 | Not available | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's Degree | Slippery Rock, PA | $58,115 | $25,990 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | Loyola University New OrleansBachelor's Degree | New Orleans, LA | $58,058 | $27,000 | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | University of FloridaBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $57,953 | $19,500 | -37% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | University of Florida-OnlineBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $57,953 | $19,500 | -35% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | University of California, IrvineBachelor's Degree | Irvine, CA | $57,935 | $15,865 | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | University of DenverBachelor's Degree | Denver, CO | $57,858 | $22,000 | -60% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | University of Wisconsin-StoutBachelor's Degree | Menomonie, WI | $57,529 | $27,000 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $57,396 | $11,000 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | William Peace UniversityBachelor's Degree | Raleigh, NC | $57,305 | $26,000 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | National Louis UniversityBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $56,989 | $23,437 | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | Upper Iowa UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fayette, IA | $56,767 | $43,447 | -55% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Lasell UniversityBachelor's Degree | Newton, MA | $56,766 | $27,000 | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | Eastern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saint Davids, PA | $56,695 | Not available | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Northern Arizona UniversityBachelor's Degree | Flagstaff, AZ | $56,676 | $20,000 | -51% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | Old Dominion UniversityBachelor's Degree | Norfolk, VA | $56,659 | $25,000 | -51% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | State University of New York at CortlandBachelor's Degree | Cortland, NY | $56,593 | $21,500 | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | Saint Edward's UniversityBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $56,224 | $25,500 | -60% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $55,924 | $25,000 | -63% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Eastern Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Cheney, WA | $55,621 | $19,295 | -55% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | California State University, San MarcosBachelor's Degree | San Marcos, CA | $55,418 | $14,810 | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | Stockton UniversityBachelor's Degree | Galloway, NJ | $55,408 | $23,406 | -60% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | North Carolina State University at RaleighBachelor's Degree | Raleigh, NC | $55,303 | $21,875 | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | Lakeland UniversityBachelor's Degree | Plymouth, WI | $55,265 | $26,053 | -63% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtBachelor's Degree | Arcata, CA | $55,174 | $16,849 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | University of Northern IowaBachelor's Degree | Cedar Falls, IA | $54,993 | $24,683 | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | University of Massachusetts-DartmouthBachelor's Degree | North Dartmouth, MA | $54,174 | $27,000 | -65% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | University of South FloridaBachelor's Degree | Tampa, FL | $53,883 | $20,302 | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | Georgia Southern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Statesboro, GA | $53,766 | $26,000 | -64% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | Indiana University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's Degree | Indiana, PA | $53,762 | $27,000 | -65% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | Delaware State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Dover, DE | $53,128 | $26,750 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusBachelor's Degree | Teaneck, NJ | $53,055 | $25,000 | -67% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusBachelor's Degree | Madison, NJ | $53,055 | $25,000 | -70% | Negative payoff |
| 73 | Eastern Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Willimantic, CT | $52,942 | $25,000 | -70% | Negative payoff |
| 74 | Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleBachelor's Degree | Carbondale, IL | $52,916 | $24,000 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 75 | Saint Vincent CollegeBachelor's Degree | Latrobe, PA | $52,788 | $27,000 | -72% | Negative payoff |
| 76 | Dominican UniversityBachelor's Degree | River Forest, IL | $52,775 | $27,000 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 77 | Cleveland State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Cleveland, OH | $52,713 | $25,000 | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 78 | SUNY Old WestburyBachelor's Degree | Old Westbury, NY | $52,598 | $17,800 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | Eastern Michigan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ypsilanti, MI | $52,535 | $29,000 | -69% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | Southern Wesleyan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Central, SC | $52,534 | $25,000 | -69% | Negative payoff |
| 81 | University of Missouri-St LouisBachelor's Degree | Saint Louis, MO | $52,331 | $22,801 | -69% | Negative payoff |
| 82 | The University of Texas at DallasBachelor's Degree | Richardson, TX | $52,244 | $20,500 | -71% | Negative payoff |
| 83 | University of Houston-Clear LakeBachelor's Degree | Houston, TX | $52,087 | $16,149 | -71% | Negative payoff |
| 84 | Indiana State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Terre Haute, IN | $51,991 | $24,970 | -69% | Negative payoff |
| 85 | University of Wisconsin-River FallsBachelor's Degree | River Falls, WI | $51,586 | $24,750 | -72% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | Barry UniversityBachelor's Degree | Miami, FL | $51,180 | $27,000 | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 87 | Concordia University-ChicagoBachelor's Degree | River Forest, IL | $50,897 | Not available | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | Bethany CollegeBachelor's Degree | Lindsborg, KS | $50,697 | Not available | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | University of North Carolina WilmingtonBachelor's Degree | Wilmington, NC | $50,514 | $22,915 | -79% | Negative payoff |
| 90 | Clemson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Clemson, SC | $50,133 | $22,375 | -81% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | University of West GeorgiaBachelor's Degree | Carrollton, GA | $50,048 | $28,500 | -78% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | Florida Southern CollegeBachelor's Degree | Lakeland, FL | $49,829 | $26,000 | -84% | Negative payoff |
| 93 | Ohio University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Athens, OH | $49,632 | $21,669 | -83% | Negative payoff |
| 94 | Missouri State University-SpringfieldBachelor's Degree | Springfield, MO | $49,053 | $24,187 | -84% | Negative payoff |
| 95 | Capital UniversityBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $49,041 | $27,000 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 96 | Virginia Union UniversityBachelor's Degree | Richmond, VA | $49,024 | $31,450 | -83% | Negative payoff |
| 97 | Flagler CollegeBachelor's Degree | Saint Augustine, FL | $48,913 | $25,625 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 98 | Mississippi State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Mississippi State, MS | $48,805 | $23,356 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 99 | St. Mary's UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Antonio, TX | $48,731 | $25,125 | -86% | Negative payoff |
| 100 | California State University, FresnoBachelor's Degree | Fresno, CA | $48,647 | $10,773 | -82% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.