Criminology Degree in Upper Darby, PA — Salary & ROI 2026
Criminology degree analysis for Upper Darby, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$68K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.4 yrs
in Upper Darby
Cost of Living
94.5
index (100 = avg)
Criminology in Upper Darby, PA Overview
While Upper Darby has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Criminology students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,171/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 Upper Darby is approximately $49,140.
Category
Social Science
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,171/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,595/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
70%
Criminology Salary in Upper Darby (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Upper Darby's cost of living index of 94.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Criminology salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Upper Darby adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.
Criminology ROI Calculator for Upper Darby
Estimate your return on investment for a Criminology degree using local Upper Darby tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Upper Darby avg aid: $12,595/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$118,684
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,065
vs HS diploma in Upper Darby
ROI Payback Period
7.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Upper Darby
$353,816
Lifetime earnings premium ($472,500) minus total education cost ($118,684)
Student Loan Payoff for Criminology in Upper Darby
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Upper Darby for Criminology
Upper Darby State University
public
$16,192/yr
$64,768 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Upper Darby Community College
$5,336/yr
Top Employers for Criminology in Upper Darby
Upper Darby offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Criminology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Upper Darby Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Criminology Job Titles
Criminology in Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Philadelphia, PA
$78K starting · COL 150
42 colleges
Pittsburgh, PA
$60K starting · COL 115
12 colleges
Allentown, PA
$59K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Reading, PA
$61K starting · COL 118
3 colleges
Erie, PA
$62K starting · COL 120
4 colleges
Scranton, PA
$62K starting · COL 120
8 colleges
Bethlehem, PA
$65K starting · COL 125
7 colleges
Lower Merion, PA
$48K starting · COL 91.4
3 colleges
Criminology Degree in Upper Darby — 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 Upper Darby.