Criminology: is this master's degree worth it?
National picture across 15 reporting college programs.
$67,163 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
Observed national outcomes
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.
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.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Lasell University$115,8092University of California, Irvine$83,1753St. John's University-New York$83,0654University at Albany$71,1835Bowling Green State University-Main Campus$70,6746Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia$70,4747Tiffin University$69,2038San Diego State University$67,1639Lindenwood University$65,34210Missouri State University-Springfield$65,307Observed 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.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lasell UniversityMaster's Degree | Newton, MA | $115,809 | Not available | Baseline needed | $27,511 |
| 2 | University of California, IrvineMaster's Degree | Irvine, CA | $83,175 | Not available | Baseline needed | $14,251 |
| 3 | St. John's University-New YorkMaster's Degree | Queens, NY | $83,065 | Not available | Baseline needed | $29,999 |
| 4 | University at AlbanyMaster's Degree | Albany, NY | $71,183 | Not available | Baseline needed | $17,167 |
| 5 | Bowling Green State University-Main CampusMaster's Degree | Bowling Green, OH | $70,674 | Not available | Baseline needed | $24,022 |
| 6 | Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaMaster's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $70,474 | Not available | Baseline needed | $29,689 |
| 7 | Tiffin UniversityMaster's Degree | Tiffin, OH | $69,203 | Not available | Baseline needed | $26,500 |
| 8 | San Diego State UniversityMaster's Degree | San Diego, CA | $67,163 | Not available | Baseline needed | $15,364 |
| 9 | Lindenwood UniversityMaster's Degree | Saint Charles, MO | $65,342 | Not available | Baseline needed | $19,638 |
| 10 | Missouri State University-SpringfieldMaster's Degree | Springfield, MO | $65,307 | Not available | Baseline needed | $17,613 |
| 11 | Regis UniversityMaster's Degree | Denver, CO | $63,202 | Not available | Baseline needed | $18,397 |
| 12 | Saint Vincent CollegeMaster's Degree | Latrobe, PA | $61,908 | Not available | Baseline needed | $23,510 |
| 13 | Indiana State UniversityMaster's Degree | Terre Haute, IN | $59,321 | Not available | Baseline needed | $10,873 |
| 14 | Indiana University of PennsylvaniaMaster's Degree | Indiana, PA | $58,603 | Not available | Baseline needed | $16,804 |
| 15 | Stockton UniversityMaster's Degree | Galloway, NJ | $57,437 | Not available | Baseline needed | $20,670 |
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.