Criminology Degree in Murfreesboro, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Criminology degree analysis for Murfreesboro, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Murfreesboro
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Criminology in Murfreesboro, TN Overview
Murfreesboro, Tennessee (pop. 152,769) has 10 colleges offering Criminology programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,003/month. Criminology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Murfreesboro is approximately $47,320.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$9,312/yr
Private Tuition
$43,809/yr
Room & Board
$13,946/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,072/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
53%
Criminology Salary in Murfreesboro (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Murfreesboro's cost of living index of 91 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Criminology salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Murfreesboro adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Criminology ROI Calculator for Murfreesboro
Estimate your return on investment for a Criminology degree using local Murfreesboro tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $43,809
Murfreesboro avg aid: $16,072/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,032
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,470
vs HS diploma in Murfreesboro
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Murfreesboro
$361,968
Lifetime earnings premium ($455,000) minus total education cost ($93,032)
Student Loan Payoff for Criminology in Murfreesboro
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Murfreesboro for Criminology
Middle Tennessee State University
public
$9,312/yr
$37,248 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Motlow State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Criminology in Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Criminology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Murfreesboro Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Criminology Job Titles
Criminology in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$48K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$48K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$44K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$42K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$47K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Franklin, TN
$62K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$43K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$55K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Criminology Degree in Murfreesboro — 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 Murfreesboro.