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Criminology

2 schools compared · Average earnings $32,877/yr

Quick Facts: Criminology Training

Where it's offered

Criminology programs are offered at 2 schools across 2 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.

Earnings expectations

Graduates earn approximately $32,877/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.

Apprenticeship pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Criminology — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.

Program quality benchmark

Across the 2 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 38/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.

What Criminology Graduates Do

Your criminology degree can lead to management roles, especially within government or community services. Your day could involve supervising staff at a correctional facility, managing budgets for a victim advocacy program, or analyzing data to report on a new policy's effectiveness. Another common path starts as a social science research technician, where you'll assist senior researchers by conducting interviews, coding survey data, and using statistical software to identify crime trends.

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Career progression often moves from these hands-on entry points toward leadership. A research technician can become a senior data analyst, while a program coordinator can advance to a director-level management position. The greatest demand and earning potential are in these management tracks, where experienced leaders can earn well into six figures. While AI tools may assist with data analysis and report generation, the core of the work—managing teams, building community trust, and making nuanced judgments—remains fundamentally human-driven.

If Criminology doesn't fit your goals, programs like Sociology, International Relations, and Social Sciences Studies draw from adjacent skill sets.

Schools Offering
2
Avg Grad Earnings
$32,877/yr
Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score
38/100
Apprenticeship Paths
2
View pathways ↓

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Criminology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship Training Hours Type Salary RangeSalary Growth
Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer
RAPIDS 2073CB 		Competency Competency $100K – $136,550 – $179K 4.5%
Weather Observer-Metero Tech
RAPIDS 1 		4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs 		Time $46K – $60,130 – $78K 3.5%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Find Criminology Programs in Your State

Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Criminology is offered at 2 schools across 2 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.

Indiana (1) New Mexico (1)

Top Criminology Programs Nationally

For context, here are the highest-scoring Criminology programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.

2 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.

# School Score Earnings ROI
1 Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM		 60
51–63		 $28,987/yr 127.5x
2 Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN		 47
42–50		 $36,766/yr 17.2x

Highest Earning Criminology Programs

Schools where Criminology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School 1-Year Earnings Score
Purdue University Global $36,766/yr 47
Central New Mexico Community College $28,987/yr 60

Best ROI for Criminology

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Criminology.

School ROI Multiple Earnings Score
Central New Mexico Community College 127.5x $28,987/yr 60
Purdue University Global 17.2x $36,766/yr 47

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Criminal Justice Accounting Business Administration Nursing Health Sciences Legal Support Services Business Practical Nursing Allied Health Professions Medical Assisting Health Administration Dental Assisting

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Criminology degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.

Compare Criminology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the typical salary after a Criminology program?
Across 2 schools, Criminology graduates earn an average of $32,877 per year in their first year after completing the program. Earnings range from $28,987 to $36,766 depending on the school.
How safe is Criminology from automation and AI?
Our analysis rates Criminology as "Resilient" for automation risk. With 45% of tasks requiring physical presence or manual skill, a moderate share of the work in this trade remains beyond AI's reach.
What's the top-ranked school for Criminology?
Our data ranks Central New Mexico Community College first among 2 Criminology programs. Its score of 60/100 reflects strong outcomes across earnings ($28,987/yr), return on investment, and career durability.
Is Criminology worth it?
The average 10-year earnings multiple is 72.3x tuition. This is a strong return on investment. The spread between the best and worst programs is wide, so individual school selection has a major impact.
Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, and DOL RAPIDS. Methodology & sources →