Criminology Degree in Topeka, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Criminology degree analysis for Topeka, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.6 yrs
in Topeka
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Criminology in Topeka, KS Overview
Topeka, Kansas (pop. 126,587) has 14 colleges offering Criminology programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,052/month. Criminology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Topeka is approximately $43,680.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$8,640/yr
Private Tuition
$44,161/yr
Room & Board
$11,239/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,855/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
75%
Criminology Salary in Topeka (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Topeka's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Criminology salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Topeka adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Criminology ROI Calculator for Topeka
Estimate your return on investment for a Criminology degree using local Topeka tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,640 | Private avg: $44,161
Topeka avg aid: $13,855/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,516
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,280
vs HS diploma in Topeka
ROI Payback Period
5.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Topeka
$340,484
Lifetime earnings premium ($420,000) minus total education cost ($79,516)
Student Loan Payoff for Criminology in Topeka
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Topeka for Criminology
Washburn University
public
$8,640/yr
$34,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washburn Institute of Technology
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Criminology in Topeka
Topeka offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Criminology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Topeka Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Criminology Job Titles
Criminology in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$54K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$54K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$43K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$50K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$56K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$45K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$50K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$49K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Criminology Degree in Topeka — 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 Topeka.