Criminology Degree in Las Cruces, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Criminology degree analysis for Las Cruces, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$64K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$89K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Las Cruces
Cost of Living
123
index (100 = avg)
Criminology in Las Cruces, NM Overview
Las Cruces, New Mexico (pop. 111,385) has 12 colleges offering Criminology programs. The local cost of living index of 123 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,443/month. Criminology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Las Cruces is approximately $63,960.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$7,554/yr
Private Tuition
$45,711/yr
Room & Board
$19,302/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,870/yr
Unemployment
6.7%
Graduation Rate
60%
Criminology Salary in Las Cruces (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Las Cruces's cost of living index of 123 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Criminology salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Las Cruces adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.
Criminology ROI Calculator for Las Cruces
Estimate your return on investment for a Criminology degree using local Las Cruces tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,554 | Private avg: $45,711
Las Cruces avg aid: $11,870/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$107,424
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,910
vs HS diploma in Las Cruces
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Las Cruces
$507,576
Lifetime earnings premium ($615,000) minus total education cost ($107,424)
Student Loan Payoff for Criminology in Las Cruces
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Las Cruces for Criminology
New Mexico State University
public
$7,554/yr
$30,216 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dona Ana Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Criminology in Las Cruces
Las Cruces offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Criminology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Las Cruces Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Criminology Job Titles
Criminology in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Criminology Degree in Las Cruces — 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 Las Cruces.