Criminology at Arcadia University

Glenside, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,823/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (122,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #104 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 $519K $516K $475K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.7x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 30% 22%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 30 18

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$193,160
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$103,464
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,702
53% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Arcadia University's Criminology program produces graduates earning $33,823/yr — within striking distance of the $36,749 national average for this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $33,823 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #104 of 111 Criminology programs, Arcadia University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $51,702 show a 53% jump from the $33,823 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Arcadia University

A 79% acceptance rate means Arcadia University is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 1,799 students in Glenside, PA. The average net cost of $103,464 over four years represents a 46% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Arcadia 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 Arcadia 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 Arcadia University?
A score of 30/100 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 $475,126 in decade earnings vs $519,318 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →