Criminologyat University of Southern Maine
Graduates earn $47,726/yr in their first year — about 30.0% above the national Criminology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $547K; scenarios range from $498K to $554K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine's Criminology program stands out, likely due to its strong integration with Maine's regional justice and social service systems. Located in Portland, you'll find direct pipelines to local law enforcement, state corrections, victim advocacy organizations, and community outreach programs, offering practical experience that translates directly into employment. This program doesn't just prepare you for traditional policing; it cultivates skills applicable to broader roles in policy analysis, social work, and even management within the public and non-profit sectors, explaining the diverse career paths.
Given the evolving landscape where routine analytical tasks face high AI risk, focusing on the uniquely human aspects of criminology—ethical judgment, direct intervention, policy development, and complex problem-solving—is crucial. Seek out internships and practicums that immerse you in these higher-level, human-centric roles within Maine's public service and legal sectors to build a resilient career.
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 Southern Maine'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 Southern Maine stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Southern Maine
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Southern Maine, 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 Southern Maine
How does University of Southern Maine's Criminology program score?
This program scores 57/100, 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 Southern Maine rank so high for Criminology?
The #2 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.