Analysis
Le Moyne graduates carry slightly more debt than most criminology programs in New York—$27,000 versus a state median of $23,125—but the low debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 suggests manageable repayment. Similar criminology programs in New York typically produce first-year earnings around $35,000, and Le Moyne's four-year median of $50,410 shows meaningful income growth over time. That progression matters: first-year earnings that feel modest become substantially more comfortable within a few years of graduation.
The challenge here is that comparable SUNY programs often deliver similar or better outcomes at lower cost. University at Albany graduates, for instance, earn $42,000 in their first year—about $7,000 more than peer programs suggest for Le Moyne—while public university debt loads tend to run lower. The private school premium doesn't translate into a clear earnings advantage in criminology, where public safety and law enforcement jobs pay on standardized scales regardless of where you earned your degree.
If your child is set on Le Moyne for fit or location, the debt burden isn't alarming and the four-year earnings suggest steady career progression. But criminology is a field where the SUNY system often provides better value, and you should directly compare financial aid packages before committing to the higher tuition of a private college.
Where Le Moyne College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all criminology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Moyne College | — | $50,410 | — |
| University at Albany | $42,257 | $56,030 | +33% |
| State University of New York at Cortland | $34,768 | $55,104 | +58% |
| Hofstra University | $35,249 | $53,107 | +51% |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | $33,798 | $51,389 | +52% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Criminology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (14 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Le Moyne CollegeSyracuse | $38,970 | $35,249* | $50,410 | $27,000 | — |
 University at AlbanyAlbany | $10,408 | $42,257* | $56,030 | $21,250 | 0.50 |
 SUNY Old WestburyOld Westbury | $8,379 | $38,764* | $47,612 | $17,800 | 0.46 |
 Niagara UniversityNiagara University | $38,135 | $36,781* | — | $27,000 | 0.73 |
 Hofstra UniversityHempstead | $55,450 | $35,249* | $53,107 | $25,000 | 0.71 |
 State University of New York at CortlandCortland | $8,815 | $34,768* | $55,104 | $21,500 | 0.62 |
| National Median | — | $37,476* | — | $25,000 | 0.67 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with criminology graduates
Sociologists
Psychologists, All Other
Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Le Moyne College, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.