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Criminology at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

River Falls, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $45,113/yr (23% vs median)

AI Risk High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (122,700 openings/yr)

ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #27 of 111 Criminology programs Top 25%

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	$501K	$500K	$463K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.6x	14.5x	13.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.4x	7.4x	6.9x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	30%	22%
DegreeOutlook Score	50	49	36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$34,424

Out-of-state: $67,548 (7.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,856

-71% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,625

5.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $45,113 per year, Criminology graduates from University of Wisconsin-River Falls earn slightly above the $36,749 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminology programs nationally.

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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $20,625 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #27 of 111 nationally, this is a top-5% Criminology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

About University of Wisconsin-River Falls

With 82% of applicants admitted, University of Wisconsin-River Falls prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 4,152 in River Falls, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-River Falls →

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 Wisconsin-River Falls

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminology at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?

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 $463,184 in decade earnings vs $501,051 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Wisconsin-River Falls's Criminology program stand out?

Ranked #27 of 111 programs nationally, University of Wisconsin-River Falls lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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