Criminology at Baker University

Similar criminology programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $37,500, which falls about $5,000 short of what Kansas grads typically earn in this field. That gap matters when you're carrying an estimated $26,000 in debt—it means roughly 8-9 months of gross pay to cover what you borrowed, assuming you land steady work right away. The debt load itself aligns with national norms for criminology degrees, but the earnings picture raises questions about whether Baker's open-admission environment translates to the same career outcomes as more selective Kansas programs.

The comparison to University of Saint Mary is telling: their criminology grads start at $42,600, giving them $5,000 more breathing room annually to manage similar debt loads. That difference compounds over time—it's not just about the first year, but about how quickly you can pay down principal and free up money for other goals. Criminology careers often require additional training or certifications beyond the bachelor's, which makes starting salary particularly important.

For parents, this means Baker's program may not deliver the competitive positioning within Kansas that justifies borrowing over $25,000. If your child is committed to law enforcement or corrections work in Kansas, investigate whether Baker's network and internship placements produce outcomes closer to the state median, or whether the estimated figures reflect reality. The gap between estimated and actual outcomes here could swing either way.