Criminology at University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
53
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,914/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (122,700 openings/yr)
ROI 13.3x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 111 Criminology programs Top 10%

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 $519K $516K $475K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.3x 13.3x 12.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 6.1x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 30% 22%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 53 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,912
Out-of-state: $85,088 (6.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,436
-50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,278
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,690
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $43,914 per year, Criminology graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn slightly above the $36,749 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 13.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $20,278 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #9 ranking out of 111 Criminology programs nationally puts University of Northern Iowa in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $43,914 to $54,690 shows 25% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Northern Iowa

With 94% of applicants admitted, University of Northern Iowa prioritizes broad access, enrolling 7,599 students in Cedar Falls, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Northern Iowa →

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

Other Majors at University of Northern Iowa

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Northern Iowa's Criminology program score?
This program scores 53/100, 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →