Criminology at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State's Criminology program places graduates below the national median for this field, with first-year earnings of $33,191 compared to the national benchmark of $37,476. However, context matters here: as the only public university in Mississippi offering this bachelor's degree, this program actually performs at the state's median for criminology graduates. The real question is whether criminal justice careers in Mississippi can support the investment, not how this program compares to opportunities in higher-wage states.

The financial picture is manageable but not impressive. Graduates carry $23,356 in debt—slightly below the national median—against modest starting salaries, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70. The positive signal is earnings growth: salaries jump 23% to $40,797 by year four, reaching the 75th percentile nationally and suggesting real career progression for those who stick with the field. Still, even at that four-year mark, these are modest wages that require careful budgeting to manage loan payments.

For Mississippi families, this program makes sense if your child is committed to law enforcement, corrections, or related public service work in-state. The debt load won't be crushing, and career advancement appears real. But if your student is exploring criminal justice casually or hoping for higher earnings, understand that this field caps out lower than many bachelor's degrees. The 76% acceptance rate means admission is accessible, but career outcomes depend more on your child's dedication to the field than the program's prestige.