Criminology at Randolph-Macon College

Based on comparable criminology programs nationwide, Randolph-Macon's bachelor's degree appears to track near national norms, with estimated first-year earnings of $37,476 and debt of $26,027—a manageable 0.69 ratio that's better than many criminal justice pathways. What's less clear is whether this small liberal arts college adds value beyond Virginia's larger, more affordable public options. Old Dominion reports actual earnings of $37,255 with its criminology graduates, suggesting similar income potential at likely lower cost for in-state students.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely from estimates because this program's graduate cohorts are too small to generate reportable data. While the debt-to-earnings picture looks reasonable on paper, you're paying private college tuition (suggested by the school's 20% Pell rate and selectivity profile) for outcomes that peer programs achieve at public prices. Virginia's criminology median sits at $33,773, meaning the estimated earnings advantage is modest at best—about $3,700 annually, which won't quickly offset tuition differences.

If your child is set on Randolph-Macon's small-college experience and plans to leverage the network in Virginia law enforcement or social services, the investment could make sense. But purely as a criminology credential, the estimated numbers suggest you'd get comparable earning power from less expensive Virginia alternatives, with the added benefit of actual outcome data to inform your decision.