Criminology Degree in Santa Fe, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Criminology degree analysis for Santa Fe, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$85K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.9 yrs
in Santa Fe
Cost of Living
118
index (100 = avg)
Criminology in Santa Fe, NM Overview
Santa Fe, New Mexico (pop. 87,505) has 7 colleges offering Criminology programs. The local cost of living index of 118 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,028/month. Criminology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Santa Fe is approximately $61,360.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$13,566/yr
Private Tuition
$38,206/yr
Room & Board
$15,986/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,970/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
65%
Criminology Salary in Santa Fe (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Santa Fe's cost of living index of 118 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Criminology salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Santa Fe adjustment factor: 1.18x based on the local cost of living index.
Criminology ROI Calculator for Santa Fe
Estimate your return on investment for a Criminology degree using local Santa Fe tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,566 | Private avg: $38,206
Santa Fe avg aid: $11,970/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$118,208
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,060
vs HS diploma in Santa Fe
ROI Payback Period
5.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Santa Fe
$471,792
Lifetime earnings premium ($590,000) minus total education cost ($118,208)
Student Loan Payoff for Criminology in Santa Fe
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Santa Fe for Criminology
St. John's College
private
$38,206/yr
$152,824 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Santa Fe Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Criminology in Santa Fe
Santa Fe offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Criminology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe — 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 Santa Fe.