Criminology at Wright State University-Main Campus

Wright State's criminology program hits the national median for starting earnings but lags behind most Ohio programs, landing in just the 40th percentile statewide. This matters more than it might seem: graduates start at $37,476 while the typical Ohio criminology major earns $37,782, and several state schools—including Ohio State's campuses—place graduates $2,000-$3,000 ahead from day one. For a field where starting salaries cluster tightly, that gap compounds over time.

The silver lining is debt: at $27,250, graduates carry slightly more than typical but still exit with a manageable 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio. With earnings growing just 7% over four years to $39,894, this isn't a program where graduates rapidly out-earn their loans—but it's not a debt trap either. The 95% admission rate and moderate Pell enrollment suggest accessibility, though the modest SAT averages indicate Wright State may not offer the academic resources or alumni network that help top programs boost graduate outcomes.

For an Ohio family, this comes down to price. If Wright State offers substantial in-state tuition savings over Ohio State, it's a reasonable choice for a student certain about law enforcement or corrections work. But if costs are comparable, the data suggests looking at the higher-performing Ohio programs that consistently place graduates into better-paying positions.