Criminology Degree in Columbia, MO — Salary & ROI 2026
Criminology degree analysis for Columbia, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Columbia
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Criminology in Columbia, MO Overview
Columbia, Missouri (pop. 126,254) has 10 colleges offering Criminology programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,005/month. Criminology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Columbia is approximately $43,680.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$11,142/yr
Private Tuition
$31,070/yr
Room & Board
$10,910/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,890/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
63%
Criminology Salary in Columbia (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Columbia's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Criminology salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Columbia adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Criminology ROI Calculator for Columbia
Estimate your return on investment for a Criminology degree using local Columbia tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,142 | Private avg: $31,070
Columbia avg aid: $16,890/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$88,208
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,280
vs HS diploma in Columbia
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Columbia
$331,792
Lifetime earnings premium ($420,000) minus total education cost ($88,208)
Student Loan Payoff for Criminology in Columbia
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Columbia for Criminology
University of Missouri
public
$11,142/yr
$44,568 total
Stephens College
private
$31,070/yr
$124,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Moberly Area Community College Columbia
$3,900/yr
Top Employers for Criminology in Columbia
Columbia offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Criminology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Columbia Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Criminology Job Titles
Criminology in Nearby Missouri Cities
Kansas City, MO
$49K starting · COL 94
44 colleges
St. Louis, MO
$50K starting · COL 97
23 colleges
Springfield, MO
$42K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Independence, MO
$45K starting · COL 85.8
5 colleges
Lee's Summit, MO
$50K starting · COL 95.5
4 colleges
OFallon, MO
$45K starting · COL 87.3
4 colleges
St. Joseph, MO
$47K starting · COL 90.4
3 colleges
St. Charles, MO
$43K starting · COL 83.4
3 colleges
Criminology Degree in Columbia — 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 Columbia.