Criminology at Johnson C Smith University

Johnson C Smith's criminology graduates start at $32,751—below both the state median ($34,760) and national median ($37,476)—while carrying $32,047 in debt, nearly matching their first-year salary dollar-for-dollar. Among North Carolina's six criminology programs, this ranks exactly at the 40th percentile, meaning it underperforms the state's mid-tier options like UNC Wilmington and NC State, both of which offer stronger earning potential with less debt. The $7,758 gap compared to William Peace University is particularly striking when you consider these graduates are starting their careers with above-average debt loads.

The positive spin is modest earnings growth to $35,897 by year four, but this still leaves graduates earning less than what peers from other NC programs make right out of college. For a family considering this program, the financial equation is challenging: your child would graduate owing roughly their entire first year's salary, and even after four years of work experience, they'd still be earning below what fresh graduates make at competing state schools.

Given the small sample size (under 30 graduates), these numbers could shift with more data, but the current picture suggests families should seriously weigh NC State or UNC Wilmington as alternatives. The 68% Pell grant rate shows JCSU serves students who need financial aid most—making the debt-to-earnings mismatch even more concerning for families without much cushion to absorb a difficult start.