Criminology at Delaware State University

Delaware State's criminology program starts graduates at just $30,710—nearly $7,000 below the national median and $5,000 below Delaware's state average. While this places the program in the bottom 10% nationally, it ranks slightly better (40th percentile) within Delaware, though that comparison includes only one other program at University of Delaware. The debt burden of $26,750 is slightly above both state and national norms, creating an 0.87 debt-to-earnings ratio that means new graduates owe nearly a full year's salary.

The program's defining feature is strong earnings growth: salaries jump 48% to reach $45,554 by year four, eventually surpassing both Delaware and national medians. This trajectory suggests graduates who stick with criminal justice careers find better opportunities after gaining experience. However, that first year will be financially tight, particularly for the 43% of students here on Pell grants who may have limited family support during the lean early-career period.

For families considering this program: the delayed payoff means your child needs either financial cushion for those first years or a clear plan to accelerate into higher-paying roles. If they're committed to criminal justice and can weather the initial salary gap—perhaps through living at home or supplemental income—the four-year outlook becomes reasonable. But if they're uncertain about the field, starting this far behind peers makes career pivots more difficult.