Criminology
Social Sciences
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $55,413 | $50,112 to $59,340 | 120 | 98% |
| Master's Degree | $65,307 | $58,962 to $70,574 | 19 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +4% (2023 to 2033), about 122,700 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $133,560 | +4.5% | 106,700 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $58,350 | +3.5% | 10,600 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $117,750 | +4.3% | 3,900 |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,030 | +2% | 1,200 |
| Sociologists | $101,770 | +3.6% | 300 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, so this lists where the major commonly leads, not any one graduate's job.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.