Criminology at Drexel University

Drexel's criminology program produces first-year earnings of $40,229—ahead of both the national median ($37,476) and Pennsylvania's typical outcomes ($37,737). Landing at the 72nd percentile nationally and 60th in Pennsylvania suggests solid performance, though students here graduate with $27,000 in debt, matching the state median. The resulting debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 sits in a manageable range, meaning graduates owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary.

However, the sample size here is quite small—fewer than 30 graduates reported data—which means these numbers could swing significantly with just a few different outcomes. While Drexel sits below top Pennsylvania performers like Saint Joseph's ($43,283), the differential isn't enormous, and Drexel's co-op program may offer career-building opportunities beyond what first-year salary captures. The relatively low debt load (5th percentile nationally) suggests students aren't taking on excessive borrowing for these outcomes.

For families considering this program, the earnings advantage over typical criminology graduates is real but modest, and the small sample makes it hard to call this a sure bet. If your student is drawn to Drexel's urban location and cooperative education model—which could accelerate career connections in criminal justice—this represents a reasonable option. Just recognize you're paying a premium over lower-cost Pennsylvania state schools for outcomes that, based on limited data, appear competitive but not transformative.