Criminology at Paine College

Based on comparable criminology programs nationally, graduates here face a first-year salary around $37,476 against an estimated $26,027 in debt—a 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio that falls within manageable territory. What's encouraging is that the four-year earnings data ($37,797) suggests relative stability rather than dramatic growth, and peer criminology programs across Georgia cluster in a similar $34,000-$36,000 range. With 71% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a population where even modest debt matters significantly, but the estimated burden here isn't dramatically out of line with what criminology degrees typically cost.

The challenge is that criminology bachelor's degrees generally lead to careers in law enforcement, corrections, or social services—fields where salary ceilings hit quickly and geographic location heavily influences earning potential. The actual four-year earnings figure being nearly identical to the estimated first-year number hints at this plateau effect. For families banking on steady income growth to make loan payments easier over time, that's worth noting.

If your child is committed to criminal justice work and Paine College offers the support system they need to complete the degree (completion matters enormously at this debt level), the financial picture isn't alarming. But recognize you're working from estimates for both costs and outcomes at this specific institution, and the field itself imposes earnings constraints that no college can overcome.