Criminology Degree in Salem, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Criminology degree analysis for Salem, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$62K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$86K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.6 yrs
in Salem
Cost of Living
120
index (100 = avg)
Criminology in Salem, OR Overview
Salem, Oregon (pop. 175,535) has 14 colleges offering Criminology programs. The local cost of living index of 120 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,384/month. Criminology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Salem is approximately $62,400.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,943/yr
Private Tuition
$46,250/yr
Room & Board
$15,380/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,172/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
57%
Criminology Salary in Salem (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Salem's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Criminology salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Salem adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Criminology ROI Calculator for Salem
Estimate your return on investment for a Criminology degree using local Salem tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,943 | Private avg: $46,250
Salem avg aid: $14,172/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$113,292
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,400
vs HS diploma in Salem
ROI Payback Period
5.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Salem
$486,708
Lifetime earnings premium ($600,000) minus total education cost ($113,292)
Student Loan Payoff for Criminology in Salem
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Salem for Criminology
Willamette University
private
$46,250/yr
$185,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chemeketa Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Criminology in Salem
Salem offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Criminology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Salem Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Criminology Job Titles
Criminology in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$58K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$68K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$57K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$60K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$56K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$55K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$58K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$63K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Criminology Degree in Salem — 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 Salem.