Criminology at University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,096/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (122,700 openings/yr)
ROI 21.8x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 111 Criminology programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

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.

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 $566K $558K $505K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.2x 21.8x 19.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.9x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 30% 22%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 55 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$25,524
Out-of-state: $114,636 (4.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$25,404
0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,224
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,030
74% growth from Year 1

About University of Florida

A 24% acceptance rate puts University of Florida in competitive admissions territory, with 34,102 students enrolled in Gainesville, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Florida →

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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Explore the Trade Alternative

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

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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →