Criminology at University of Minnesota-Duluth

UMN-Duluth's criminology program outperforms 90% of similar programs nationally with first-year earnings of $42,562—substantially above the national median of $37,476. Within Minnesota, it sits in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, trailing the Twin Cities campus slightly but delivering competitive outcomes. For students choosing between the Duluth and Twin Cities campuses based on location or fit, the earnings difference appears negligible. The program shows healthy momentum with 21% earnings growth by year four, reaching $51,428.

The financial picture is manageable. At roughly $24,000 in debt—below both national and state medians—graduates face debt payments that represent just over half of their first-year salary. This is reasonable territory for a field that doesn't command six-figure starting salaries but offers steady growth. The moderate sample size adds some uncertainty to these figures, but the overall pattern is consistent.

For parents evaluating this program, the calculus is straightforward: competitive earnings for the field, below-average debt, and solid post-graduation trajectory. Criminology rarely leads to immediate high earnings regardless of school, but Duluth positions graduates well within that reality. If your student is drawn to criminal justice work and prefers the smaller campus environment of Duluth, the financial outcomes support that choice.