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Criminology at Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, IN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,653/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk High (50% exposed)

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

ROI 3.1x earnings multiple

Ranked #95 of 111 Criminology programs

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	$585K	$575K	$518K
Earnings Multiple	3.1x	3.1x	2.8x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	30%	22%
DegreeOutlook Score	33	33	22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$186,352

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$86,332

54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

10.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$61,772

102% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,653 place Valparaiso University below the $36,749 national median for Criminology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

An earnings multiple of 3.1x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 11 months of the $30,653 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #95 of 111 Criminology programs, Valparaiso University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $61,772 show a 102% jump from the $30,653 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Valparaiso University

Valparaiso University accepts 92% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 2,229 in Valparaiso, IN. The average net cost of $86,332 over four years represents a 54% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Valparaiso University →

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 Valparaiso University

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 Valparaiso University?

A score of 33/100 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 $517,847 in decade earnings vs $584,666 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Criminology from Valparaiso University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Is Valparaiso University a hidden gem for Criminology?

After financial aid, the average student pays $86,332 over four years — 54% below the $186,352 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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