Compare 7 Criminology. programs in Texas. Average earnings: $42,805.
Criminology programs produce graduates earning between $31,839 and $54,123—a $22K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 7 ranked programs in Texas, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
University Of Houston-Clear Lake's Criminology program leads with graduates earning $54,123, significantly above the state average of $42,805. The University Of Texas At Dallas follows at $44,843, while Howard Payne University rounds out the top three at $44,153—proving that focused program evaluation beats relying on overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University Of Houston-Clear Lake graduates borrow $17,831 and face just a 7.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.33.
Highest program earnings: $54,123
Strong outcomes ($54,123) with 75% acceptance
7.7% payment burden | Excellent
15.1% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $54,123 | 46 | $17,831 | Excellent | $14,731 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $44,843 | 57 | $18,000 | Good | $21,495 | High | |
| #3 | Howard Payne UniversityPrivate | $44,153 | 18 | $26,793 | Manageable | $21,127 | High |
| #4 | St. Mary's UniversityPrivate | $42,206 | 22 | $25,563 | Manageable | $16,723 | High |
| #5 | $41,275 | 37 | $22,934 | Manageable | $14,224 | High | |
| #6 | $41,193 | 32 | $17,750 | Manageable | $13,000 | Challenging | |
| #7 | Saint Edward's UniversityPrivate | $31,839 | 14 | $24,803 | High | $28,135 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
