Criminology Degree in Birmingham, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Criminology degree analysis for Birmingham, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$63K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Birmingham
Cost of Living
88
index (100 = avg)
Criminology in Birmingham, AL Overview
Birmingham, Alabama (pop. 200,733) has 10 colleges offering Criminology programs. The local cost of living index of 88 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,041/month. Criminology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Birmingham is approximately $45,760.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$10,440/yr
Private Tuition
$36,380/yr
Room & Board
$10,096/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,275/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
68%
Criminology Salary in Birmingham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Birmingham's cost of living index of 88 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Criminology salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Birmingham adjustment factor: 0.88x based on the local cost of living index.
Criminology ROI Calculator for Birmingham
Estimate your return on investment for a Criminology degree using local Birmingham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,440 | Private avg: $36,380
Birmingham avg aid: $14,275/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$82,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,960
vs HS diploma in Birmingham
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Birmingham
$357,856
Lifetime earnings premium ($440,000) minus total education cost ($82,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Criminology in Birmingham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Birmingham for Criminology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
public
$10,440/yr
$41,760 total
Samford University
private
$36,380/yr
$145,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Jefferson State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Criminology in Birmingham
Birmingham offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Criminology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Birmingham Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Criminology Job Titles
Criminology in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$51K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Montgomery, AL
$48K starting · COL 92
21 colleges
Mobile, AL
$51K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$41K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$50K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$54K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$43K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$43K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Social Science Majors in Birmingham
Criminology Degree in Birmingham — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Criminology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Birmingham.