Home Schools Southern Wesleyan University Criminology
Social Sciences · Criminology Rank #70 of 111

Criminologyat Southern Wesleyan University

Graduates earn $40,834/yr in their first year — about 11.0% above the national Criminology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $485K; scenarios range from $452K to $484K depending on AI disruption.

Central, SC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
39 AT RISK
40
Optimistic
25
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,834
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$485K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
55% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Southern Wesleyan University

At $40,834 per year, Criminology graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn slightly above the $36,749 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 4.4x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $20,500 against $40,834/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #70 ranking among 111 Criminology programs places Southern Wesleyan University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$452K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score25/100
Earnings Multiple4.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$485K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple4.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$484K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple4.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Southern Wesleyan University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Criminology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Psychologists, all other
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 3,900 openings/yr
$117,580/yr
Moderate
3
Sociologists
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$101,690/yr
High
4
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$71,470/yr
High
5
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other
+3.5% 10-yr growth · 10,600 openings/yr
$60,130/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Criminology

How Southern Wesleyan University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Wisconsin-Stout
WI · Public
50
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
11.1x
ROI
Assumption University
MA · Private nonprofit
40
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
1.5x
ROI
University of Southern Maine
ME · Public
57
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
13.6x
ROI
University of Northern Iowa
IA · Public
53
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
13.1x
ROI
Top score
University of Maryland-College Park
MD · Public
58
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
14.1x
ROI
Also at Southern Wesleyan University

Other top programs at Southern Wesleyan University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Southern Wesleyan University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Criminology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Criminology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Criminology at Southern Wesleyan University

What does a 39/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminology at Southern Wesleyan University?

At 39/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Criminology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Criminology at Southern Wesleyan University?

The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.