Criminology at University of Rhode Island

URI's criminology program graduates start at $31,729—about $6,000 below the national median for this field. That's a concerning gap, placing graduates in just the 15th percentile nationally. However, context matters: URI is the only school in Rhode Island offering a bachelor's in criminology, so this is simply what the in-state labor market pays for these roles. With debt of $19,600, graduates face monthly loan payments around $220, which represents about 8% of gross income—manageable, though not ideal given the modest starting salary.

The real question is whether criminology opens doors to stable career growth. Entry-level positions in probation, corrections, and victim services typically start in this range, but advancement often requires additional credentials or lateral moves into related fields. The relatively low debt load provides some flexibility to pursue graduate education or certifications without being financially underwater.

For Rhode Island families looking to keep costs down while their student studies criminology, URI accomplishes that goal—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 is reasonable. But parents should understand their child will likely start below $35,000 and may need to look beyond Rhode Island for higher-paying opportunities in this field, as the national data suggests stronger markets exist elsewhere.