Criminologyat University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Graduates earn $41,780/yr in their first year — about 14.0% above the national Criminology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $546K; scenarios range from $497K to $553K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Minnesota
First-year earnings of $41,780 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities come in 14% above the national median of $36,749 for Criminology programs.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.3x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 10% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $41,780 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #25 of 111 nationally, this is a top-5% Criminology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $41,780 to $61,352 over five years — a 47% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 Minnesota'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 Minnesota stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Minnesota
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Minnesota, 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 Minnesota
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminology at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?
A score of 49/100 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 $496,847 in decade earnings vs $552,541 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's Criminology program stand out?
Ranked #25 of 111 programs nationally, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.