Criminology at Lakeland University

Lakeland University's criminology program produces graduates earning $45,276 in their first year—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally but closer to the state median for Wisconsin. That disconnect reveals an important dynamic: Wisconsin's criminology programs generally outperform the national field, so while Lakeland students earn about $8,000 more than the typical criminology graduate nationwide, they're earning roughly the state average for this degree.

The debt picture is reasonable at $26,053, translating to a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, earnings actually decline to $42,959 by year four, a pattern worth understanding. This could reflect the realities of public sector and law enforcement careers, where initial salaries may represent close to mid-career levels without advanced credentials. For context, Lakeland's graduates trail only UW-Stout among Wisconsin's five criminology programs, though the difference isn't dramatic.

For families considering this program: you're looking at competitive starting salaries with manageable debt, but don't expect strong wage growth in the first few years. If your student is committed to criminal justice careers and wants a smaller campus environment (Lakeland's 91% admission rate suggests accessibility), this delivers solid value. Just recognize that the earnings trajectory may require additional credentials or career pivots for significant advancement beyond entry-level positions.