Criminology at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minnesota's flagship university delivers criminology outcomes that outperform most programs nationally, though the in-state picture is more competitive. With first-year earnings of $41,780 and graduates reaching $50,669 by year four, this program beats 84% of criminology programs nationwide—impressive for a field that often struggles with low starting salaries. The $20,500 median debt is manageable, translating to less than half of first-year earnings, which puts graduates in a solid position to handle repayment.

Within Minnesota, however, this program sits in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, essentially matching the state median. UMN-Duluth edges ahead slightly at $42,562, suggesting that the Twin Cities campus doesn't dominate the state the way it might in other programs. That said, the 21% earnings growth trajectory is healthy, and graduates are avoiding the debt burden seen at many private alternatives.

For Minnesota families, this represents a sound choice at a reasonable price point—especially compared to the state's median debt of $25,194 for this program. While it won't catapult graduates into high-earning careers immediately, the combination of below-average debt and steady income growth makes it a defensible investment for students committed to criminal justice careers.