Criminology at Lycoming College

Lycoming College manages to deliver strong criminology outcomes despite charging more than most competitors. With first-year earnings of $40,646, graduates here earn 8% above Pennsylvania's median for criminology programs and land in the 76th percentile nationally—putting them ahead of roughly three-quarters of similar programs nationwide. More importantly, that $27,000 in median debt translates to a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than eight months of their first-year salary.

The earnings trajectory shows steady, if modest, growth of 9% by year four, reaching $44,439. While that's not explosive growth, it reflects the reality of criminal justice careers where government jobs often come with structured pay scales but also stability. The comparison to Pennsylvania's top programs is telling: Lycoming essentially matches what students earn at much larger institutions like Drexel, despite its smaller scale and less urban location.

The value proposition here comes down to whether you're comfortable paying slightly above-average debt for notably above-average outcomes. With 40% of students receiving Pell grants, Lycoming appears committed to access, but this is still a private college price point. For families who can manage the $27,000 debt load, you're getting performance that rivals Pennsylvania's best criminology programs—just without the Philadelphia or Pittsburgh zip code.