Criminology at Villanova University

Pennsylvania's criminology programs cluster tightly around $37,000-$38,000 in first-year earnings, and peer institutions with reported data suggest Villanova likely falls into this range—though notably trailing stronger-performing programs like Saint Joseph's ($43,283) and Drexel ($40,229) by meaningful margins. At a highly selective university where the average SAT is 1466, the estimated $37,737 barely edges past the national median, which raises questions about whether the school's academic prestige translates into career outcomes for this particular major.

The estimated $27,000 debt load creates a manageable but unremarkable 0.72 ratio. This isn't financially risky territory, but it's also not the kind of return you'd expect from a university with a 25% admission rate. Criminology careers often require graduate degrees for advancement, which means this bachelor's degree might serve primarily as a stepping stone—one that starts you with moderate debt before additional schooling.

The practical concern: comparable programs in Pennsylvania show Villanova's estimated outcomes falling squarely in the middle of the pack, not leading it. If your child is drawn to criminology and has options at schools with documented stronger earnings outcomes, those deserve serious consideration. At Villanova's price point, you're banking on intangibles like network and reputation to eventually close that earnings gap.