Criminology at Saint Edward's University

Saint Edward's criminology graduates face an immediate financial challenge: first-year earnings of just $31,839 barely exceed minimum wage expectations for a bachelor's degree holder. While the debt load of $25,500 sits near national norms, it represents 80% of that first year's salary—a tight squeeze for someone starting out in law enforcement or social services. Among Texas criminology programs, this falls right in the middle at the 40th percentile, but it significantly trails the state median of nearly $34,000. For context, UT Dallas criminology graduates earn $40,603 in their first year, suggesting Austin's competitive job market may not be lifting all criminology programs equally.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) is genuinely important. With so few data points, a handful of students choosing graduate school or taking gap years could drag these numbers down considerably. That said, even accounting for statistical noise, the 15th percentile national ranking raises questions about whether this program connects students to the better-paying criminal justice roles. Austin's higher cost of living makes that $31,839 stretch even thinner than it would elsewhere in Texas.

If your child is committed to criminology and set on Saint Edward's for other reasons, understand they're likely looking at a financially constrained first few years. The debt is manageable but only barely, and competing programs in Texas demonstrate materially stronger earnings outcomes.