Criminology Degree in Joliet, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Criminology degree analysis for Joliet, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$78K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Joliet
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Criminology in Joliet, IL Overview
Joliet, Illinois (pop. 150,362) has 12 colleges offering Criminology programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $880/month. Criminology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Joliet is approximately $56,160.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$8,958/yr
Private Tuition
$36,980/yr
Room & Board
$13,014/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,482/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
70%
Criminology Salary in Joliet (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Joliet's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Criminology salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Joliet adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Criminology ROI Calculator for Joliet
Estimate your return on investment for a Criminology degree using local Joliet tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,958 | Private avg: $36,980
Joliet avg aid: $7,482/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,888
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,360
vs HS diploma in Joliet
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Joliet
$452,112
Lifetime earnings premium ($540,000) minus total education cost ($87,888)
Student Loan Payoff for Criminology in Joliet
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Joliet for Criminology
University of St. Francis
private
$36,980/yr
$147,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Joliet Junior College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Criminology in Joliet
Joliet offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Criminology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Joliet Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Criminology Job Titles
Criminology in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$57K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$48K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Naperville, IL
$53K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$47K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$41K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$48K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$54K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$47K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Criminology Degree in Joliet — 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 Joliet.