Criminologyat University of Florida
Graduates earn $35,096/yr in their first year — about 4.0% below the national Criminology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $558K; scenarios range from $505K to $566K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Florida
The University of Florida's strong national ranking in Criminology reflects a robust academic program and a respected institution. While initial earnings might appear slightly below the national average for the field, this often stems from common career paths into public sector roles—think local and state law enforcement, corrections, or social service agencies within Florida, where starting salaries are generally structured. However, UF's reputation provides excellent preparation and networking opportunities for those seeking federal positions or private sector roles in security, risk assessment, or even legal support. The "high AI risk" isn't about replacing human officers, but rather the increasing automation in data analysis for crime prevention and justice administration. To maximize your trajectory, actively pursue internships with agencies like the Gainesville Police Department or the FDLE, and consider supplementing your degree with analytical, data science, or pre-law coursework to access higher-paying specializations or graduate programs.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Florida's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Criminology
How University of Florida stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Florida
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Florida, 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 →Frequently asked about Criminology at University of Florida
How does University of Florida's Criminology program score?
This program scores 55/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Criminology graduates.
How vulnerable is Criminology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Criminology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of Florida rank so high for Criminology?
The #4 ranking out of 111 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.