Criminology at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo

Criminology graduates from this Arecibo campus face a stark reality: first-year earnings of just $16,199 barely reach half the U.S. poverty line for a single person, ranking in the bottom 5% nationally for this degree. While the debt load of $12,250 appears manageable compared to the national average of $25,000, it still represents nearly nine months of first-year salary. The program does show promise with 38% earnings growth by year four, reaching $22,266, but even this improved figure falls drastically short of the national criminology median of $37,476.

Context matters here: within Puerto Rico's economic landscape, this program performs at the 60th percentile among criminology degrees, meaning it's roughly middle-of-the-pack locally. Graduates are working in an economy where these earnings, while low by mainland standards, reflect the island's wage structure. The high Pell grant percentage (76%) indicates this serves students with limited alternatives, and for many, any bachelor's degree represents upward mobility within their communities.

The fundamental question is whether $12,250 in debt makes sense for earnings that may never reach $25,000. Unless your child has specific law enforcement connections in Puerto Rico or plans to pursue graduate education that could substantially boost earning potential, this degree carries significant financial risk. Families should carefully consider whether this investment will provide enough return to justify the debt burden and four years of forgone earnings.