Criminology at California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,224/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (122,700 openings/yr)
ROI 17.1x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #55 of 111 Criminology programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Criminology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $477K $479K $447K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.1x 17.1x 16.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.3x 6.3x 5.9x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 30% 22%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,920
Out-of-state: $75,440 (6.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$25,920
7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,908
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,026
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Fresno's Criminology graduates start at $31,224/yr, trailing the $36,749 national average by 15%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminology's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,908 in median debt clears quickly against $31,224 in annual earnings.

At #55 of 111 Criminology programs, California State University-Fresno scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $31,224 to $42,026 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About California State University-Fresno

A 96% acceptance rate means California State University-Fresno is accessible to most applicants, with 21,070 students enrolled in Fresno, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Fresno →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr
Sociologists $101,690/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Criminology at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Fresno

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminology at California State University-Fresno?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Criminology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Criminology careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $447,385 in decade earnings vs $476,884 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Criminology from California State University-Fresno?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →