Home Schools University of Nevada-Reno Criminology
Social Sciences · Criminology Rank #6 of 111

Criminologyat University of Nevada-Reno

Graduates earn $39,804/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Criminology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $538K; scenarios range from $491K to $543K depending on AI disruption.

Reno, NV Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
54 AVERAGE
55
Optimistic
40
Pessimistic
Earnings
$39,804
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$538K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
55% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Nevada-Reno

This Criminology program at UNR stands out, likely due to its strategic location and a curriculum designed to prepare you for diverse roles beyond traditional law enforcement. Reno offers unique opportunities to engage with local, state, and even federal agencies operating in a dynamic region, providing valuable internship and networking prospects. Your strong analytical foundation from this program can lead to varied career paths, from management within security and loss prevention to roles in forensic psychology or policy analysis, often requiring further specialization or graduate study. The program's public university ties likely foster direct pipelines into state and local government positions. Given the evolving landscape where data analytics and AI increasingly shape criminal justice, proactively seeking opportunities to develop technical and analytical skills will be crucial for navigating your career effectively.

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
$491K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple13.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$538K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple14.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$543K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple15.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Nevada-Reno'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 University of Nevada-Reno 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 University of Nevada-Reno

Other top programs at University of Nevada-Reno

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Nevada-Reno, 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 University of Nevada-Reno

What does a 54/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminology at University of Nevada-Reno?

At 54/100, University of Nevada-Reno's Criminology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Criminology at University of Nevada-Reno?

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.

Is University of Nevada-Reno one of the best schools for Criminology?

Among 111 Criminology programs, University of Nevada-Reno's #6 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.