Criminology at Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,393/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (122,700 openings/yr)
ROI 10.4x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #58 of 111 Criminology programs

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 $526K $522K $479K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.4x 10.4x 9.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.3x 6.7x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 30% 22%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,452
Out-of-state: $71,892 (7.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,260
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,750
8.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,416
62% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,393 track close to the $36,749 national median for Criminology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.4x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,750 represents roughly 8 months of the $32,393 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #58 of 111 Criminology programs, Cleveland State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $52,416 show a 62% jump from the $32,393 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University has a 95% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 9,077 students in Cleveland, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Cleveland State University →

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

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Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminology at Cleveland State University?
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 $479,496 in decade earnings vs $526,004 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →