Criminology at Capital University

Capital University's criminology program shows earnings that initially trail both state and national benchmarks but then surge impressively. First-year graduates earn $33,000—about $5,000 below Ohio's median for criminology programs—but by year four, earnings jump 55% to over $51,000. That's a dramatic trajectory that puts four-year earnings well above what you'd see at Ohio State or Ohio University. The $27,000 in student debt sits right at typical levels and represents less than a year's starting salary.

The challenge is interpreting this pattern with confidence: the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with different cohorts. The strong earnings growth might reflect a few graduates landing particularly good positions in law enforcement or federal agencies, or it could indicate that Capital's career services successfully help students transition into higher-paying roles over time. At 40th percentile among Ohio criminology programs initially, this isn't a standout on day one—but if that four-year trajectory holds, it represents solid value.

For parents, the reasonable debt load and explosive earnings growth make this program worth considering, but request placement data from the school. Where exactly do graduates end up working, and what positions drive those year-four salaries? Understanding whether those outcomes are typical or exceptional will help you gauge if your student is likely to follow that upward path.