Criminology at Pacific Lutheran University

A bachelor's in criminology from Pacific Lutheran University carries an estimated $26,027 in debt—higher than what peer programs in Washington typically produce ($20,144) and notably above the $25,000 national median. That debt load becomes more significant when weighed against estimated first-year earnings of $37,476, which mirror the national median but trail the $39,128 typical for Washington criminology graduates. With similar programs at Eastern Washington and Gonzaga producing stronger earnings outcomes ($40,228 and $38,028 respectively), PLU appears to lag slightly behind its in-state competition.

The 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment in theory—you'd owe less than 70 cents for every dollar earned in year one. However, these estimates are drawn from comparable programs nationally and at similar institutions, not from PLU's actual graduate outcomes. The real picture could be better or worse. What's clear is that criminology generally produces modest starting salaries regardless of where you study, and taking on above-average debt for below-average state earnings creates a tighter financial squeeze in those critical early career years.

If your student is committed to criminology in Washington, programs with lower debt loads and stronger earnings track records exist. PLU's higher estimated debt paired with middling earnings projections suggests this particular path requires careful financial planning and perhaps additional strategies—internships, networking, or graduate school—to maximize return on investment.