Criminology at University of Delaware

University of Delaware's criminology program shows what patience looks like in career outcomes. First-year earnings of $36,000 land below the national median, but by year four, graduates jump to $60,000—a 67% increase that's well above typical growth for this field. Among Delaware's limited options for criminology degrees, this program outperforms the state median by nearly $27,000 at the four-year mark, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide.

The debt picture supports this trajectory. At $23,685, it's below both national and state medians, creating a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio even in that challenging first year. Compare this to Delaware State, where graduates earn $6,000 less starting out with similar debt burdens. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates means these patterns hold across multiple cohorts, not just lucky outliers.

For parents, the question is whether your child can weather that first year or two of modest earnings. If they can—perhaps with family support or by living frugally—the accelerated salary growth makes this program a solid investment. The initial sacrifice pays off relatively quickly, and the debt burden won't anchor them for years. Just understand you're signing up for a delayed payoff, not immediate post-graduation prosperity.