Criminology at Buena Vista University

Criminology programs in Iowa typically produce stronger early earnings than the national average, and this holds true here. With estimated first-year earnings around $43,170—based on Iowa's median for this field—graduates would earn roughly $6,000 more than the typical criminology graduate nationwide. That puts this program in line with what University of Northern Iowa and Upper Iowa University report for their graduates, suggesting Iowa's criminal justice job market offers decent entry-level opportunities.

The estimated debt of $26,027 creates a manageable 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about seven months of their first-year salary. This sits right at Iowa's median debt load for criminology programs and is only slightly above the national benchmark of $25,000. For a private university serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (43%), keeping debt this close to public school levels represents reasonable cost control.

The challenge with these estimates is uncertainty about how Buena Vista's specific outcomes compare to peers like UNI or Upper Iowa. Since the actual graduate sample was too small to report, parents can't know whether this program consistently places graduates into the better-paying positions within Iowa's criminal justice sector or whether outcomes vary significantly. Ask the school directly about recent graduate job placements and whether they're landing roles in law enforcement, corrections, or social services—each pays differently and would substantially affect whether these estimates hold true.