Criminology at St. Mary's University

St. Mary's criminology graduates start at $33,978—below the national median but right at the Texas median for this field. The numbers place this program in an interesting position: while it ranks in just the 25th percentile nationally, it hits the 60th percentile among Texas programs. That's meaningful context for families considering in-state options, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes could vary significantly from these figures.

The debt load of $25,125 translates to manageable monthly payments, and earnings growth of 24% over four years suggests the degree opens doors to career advancement. Still, starting at $33,978 in San Antonio—where the cost of living is relatively affordable—means early budgets will be tight. For context, this trails UT Dallas criminology graduates by nearly $7,000 annually, though St. Mary's 89% admission rate makes it accessible to a broader range of students.

The real consideration here is career trajectory versus immediate earnings. If your child is committed to criminal justice work and values St. Mary's smaller campus environment (reflected in that 989 average SAT), the debt burden won't be crushing. But families banking on rapid financial independence should understand that this field typically requires patience and advancement through the ranks before reaching comfortable earnings.