Criminology Degree in Sandy Springs, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Criminology degree analysis for Sandy Springs, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$81K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.3 yrs
in Sandy Springs
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Criminology in Sandy Springs, GA Overview
While Sandy Springs has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Criminology students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,593/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Criminology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Sandy Springs is approximately $58,500.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,800/yr
Private Tuition
$32,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,593/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,262/yr
Unemployment
2.9%
Graduation Rate
53%
Criminology Salary in Sandy Springs (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Sandy Springs's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Criminology salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Sandy Springs adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Criminology ROI Calculator for Sandy Springs
Estimate your return on investment for a Criminology degree using local Sandy Springs tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,800 | Private avg: $32,000
Sandy Springs avg aid: $12,262/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$101,572
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,125
vs HS diploma in Sandy Springs
ROI Payback Period
5.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Sandy Springs
$460,928
Lifetime earnings premium ($562,500) minus total education cost ($101,572)
Student Loan Payoff for Criminology in Sandy Springs
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Sandy Springs for Criminology
Sandy Springs State University
public
$10,774/yr
$43,096 total
University of Sandy Springs
public
$8,608/yr
$34,432 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Sandy Springs Community College
$5,452/yr
Top Employers for Criminology in Sandy Springs
Sandy Springs offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Criminology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Sandy Springs Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Criminology Job Titles
Criminology in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$53K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$44K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$43K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Macon, GA
$53K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$49K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Athens, GA
$54K starting · COL 103
11 colleges
Roswell, GA
$56K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$59K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Criminology Degree in Sandy Springs — 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 Sandy Springs.