Criminology at Albright College

Based on comparable criminology programs in Pennsylvania, graduates here appear to face a challenging but not insurmountable financial start. Similar programs in the state suggest first-year earnings around $37,700 with debt near $27,000—a 0.72 ratio that's manageable but tight. What's more encouraging is the four-year earnings figure of $45,891, showing solid mid-career momentum that eases the burden over time.

The challenge is that Pennsylvania's criminology market clusters tightly around these numbers. Several PA schools with reported data—Saint Joseph's, Lycoming, Drexel—show graduates earning $40,000 to $43,000 in their first year, suggesting this program may fall toward the middle or lower end of state outcomes. With half of Albright students receiving Pell grants, that gap matters: a few thousand dollars in additional early earnings can make debt repayment considerably smoother.

The practical reality is that $27,000 in debt on a $37,700 salary requires discipline but shouldn't dominate your child's financial life if they secure steady employment in the field. The bigger uncertainty lies in whether Albright's specific outcomes match, exceed, or fall short of these state averages. If your child is strongly committed to criminology, compare this program's internship networks and career placement support against those top-performing PA schools—those connections often matter more than the credential itself in determining which side of the salary range graduates land on.