Criminology at University at Buffalo

Comparable criminology programs in New York suggest first-year earnings around $35,000, which puts UB's program slightly below the national median of $37,476 but in line with what most New York graduates actually report. The estimated debt of $19,525 is manageable—notably lower than both the state median ($23,125) and national median ($25,000) for this degree. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55, graduates would be looking at roughly half a year's salary in student loans, which is reasonable by today's standards.

The challenge is that even top-performing New York programs like University at Albany ($42,257) show criminology graduates earning in the mid-to-high $30s in their first year. This field doesn't typically command high starting salaries, regardless of where you study. The practical question becomes whether your child plans to pursue graduate education (often necessary for advancement in criminal justice) or enter law enforcement, where salaries can climb substantially after those early years but require patience through lower-paying entry positions.

Buffalo's lower estimated debt burden compared to peer programs works in its favor here. If your child is committed to criminology and wants to keep costs down while attending a solid public university, this setup isn't alarming—but they should understand they're looking at modest starting pay in a field where career growth often requires additional credentials or years of service.