Criminology at Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus

The earnings here tell two different stories depending on your frame of reference. Graduates earn around $19,300 initially—alarmingly low by national standards (5th percentile), but actually above-average for Puerto Rico's criminology programs (60th percentile). With 83% of students receiving Pell grants, most families here are making calculated decisions within a constrained economic context where a $20,816 salary four years out represents meaningful progress.

The debt picture is relatively manageable at $15,000, which is lower than both national and state medians for this field. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.78 means graduates owe less than one year's salary—workable, though still challenging given the absolute dollar amounts involved. Earnings do grow modestly (8% over four years), suggesting some career progression, though the ceiling remains low compared to mainland opportunities in criminal justice.

For families in Puerto Rico where local employment is the plan, this program performs competitively and costs less than alternatives. But parents should understand that criminology degrees generally lead to public sector or social service work with limited earning potential, particularly in Puerto Rico's economy. If your child is considering mainland opportunities after graduation, recognize that these earnings won't stretch far in most U.S. job markets, even with the relatively modest debt load.