Compare 32 Criminology. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $44,898.
With top graduates earning $56,600, Criminology stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $12K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
University of St Thomas's Criminology program leads with graduates earning $56,600, well above the $44,898 average across 32 Midwest programs. Eastern Michigan University follows at $52,887, demonstrating how regional publics compete effectively with private institutions while offering stronger value propositions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of St Thomas graduates borrow $23,250 and face just a 9.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. For families considering parent loans, University of Wisconsin-Stout leads with an 18.5% family burden despite competitive $49,004 outcomes.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of St ThomasPrivate | $56,600 | 21 | $23,250 | Good | $24,467 | Challenging |
| #2 | $52,887 | 111 | $25,000 | Good | $16,878 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $51,428 | 59 | $22,024 | Good | $22,127 | Challenging | |
| #4 | Capital UniversityPrivate | $51,147 | 17 | $26,889 | Manageable | $28,132 | High |
| #5 | $50,711 | 75 | $21,543 | Good | $19,500 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $50,669 | 114 | $19,500 | Good | $25,729 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $50,244 | 143 | $19,976 | Good | $25,868 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $49,004 | 20 | $23,000 | Good | $11,000 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Marquette UniversityPrivate | $48,522 | 75 | $23,940 | Manageable | $45,500 | High |
| #10 | Dominican UniversityPrivate | $48,026 | 32 | $24,411 | Manageable | $19,865 | High |
| #11 | Valparaiso UniversityPrivate | $47,268 | 14 | $26,942 | Manageable | $28,500 | High |
| #12 | $46,343 | 50 | $19,691 | Good | $17,670 | Challenging | |
| #13 | Indiana State UniversityPublic | $45,272 | 141 | $24,000 | Manageable | $17,049 | High |
| #14 | $45,113 | 24 | $20,500 | Manageable | $14,500 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $45,065 | 86 | $20,000 | Manageable | $15,027 | Challenging | |
| #16 | Butler UniversityPrivate | $44,373 | 17 | $26,000 | Manageable | $52,434 | High |
| #17 | Upper Iowa UniversityPrivate | $44,252 | 54 | $25,000 | Manageable | $14,000 | High |
| #18 | $44,047 | 76 | $21,797 | Manageable | $16,998 | High | |
| #19 | Lakeland UniversityPrivate | $42,959 | 16 | $25,000 | Manageable | $15,268 | High |
| #20 | $42,807 | 16 | $23,250 | Manageable | $22,000 | High | |
| #21 | National Louis UniversityPrivate | $42,682 | 29 | $19,750 | Manageable | $17,284 | High |
| #22 | Briar Cliff UniversityPrivate | $42,682 | 11 | $23,250 | Manageable | $19,260 | High |
| #23 | $41,726 | 108 | $21,992 | Manageable | $15,092 | High | |
| #24 | Concordia University-ChicagoPrivate | $41,724 | 10 | $23,000 | Manageable | $18,968 | High |
| #25 | $41,522 | 12 | $22,000 | Manageable | $18,781 | 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 →
