Criminology at Saint Vincent College

Saint Vincent's criminology program starts graduates at $37,563—roughly average nationally but trailing most Pennsylvania programs. Among the state's 20 criminology offerings, this ranks at the 40th percentile, meaning graduates here typically earn less than their counterparts at schools like Saint Joseph's ($43,283) or even nearby Indiana University of Pennsylvania ($37,911). The bright spot is strong earnings growth: salaries jump to $50,717 by year four, a 35% increase that suggests graduates find their footing in the field after initial career establishment.

The manageable $27,000 debt load (5th percentile nationally—meaning very low) keeps this program viable despite the modest starting salary. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 means graduates owe less than a year's starting income, creating breathing room for early-career professionals. Still, with a small sample size under 30 graduates, these numbers could shift significantly year to year. The program's value depends heavily on whether your student can leverage Saint Vincent's tight-knit alumni network and career services to secure positions that match the stronger four-year earnings figure rather than languishing at entry-level wages. If they're committed to criminal justice work in Pennsylvania, the low debt makes this worth considering—but recognize they'll likely start behind peers from higher-ranked state programs.