Criminology at The University of Alabama

The estimated $23,406 in debt for this criminology degree falls below the national median of $25,000 for similar programs, while earnings track at the national median of $37,476. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 suggests relatively manageable repayment—comparable programs typically see graduates able to handle their debt load within a reasonable timeframe, though criminology isn't known for high starting salaries in the criminal justice field.

What's harder to assess here is how Alabama's specific job market treats these graduates. With only three schools in the state offering this major, there's limited data to understand regional outcomes. National benchmarks suggest criminology graduates cluster tightly in the mid-to-high $30,000s for first-year earnings, with even top-performing programs reaching only around $40,500. The field itself—spanning roles from probation officers to victim advocates to crime analysts—tends toward public sector work with structured but modest pay scales.

For families weighing this investment, the moderate debt burden works in your favor, but understand that peer programs nationally suggest you're looking at entry-level salaries that leave little cushion for expensive lifestyles or aggressive loan repayment. The real question is whether your student has clear career goals within criminal justice that align with these salary realities, or if they're considering this as a springboard to law school or graduate work where the bachelor's degree is just the first step.