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Criminology at California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
51
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,694/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (122,700 openings/yr)
ROI 17.1x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #21 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 $532K $528K $484K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.2x 17.1x 15.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.8x 6.7x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 30% 22%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 51 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,956
Out-of-state: $78,476 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,200
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,810
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,589
57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,694/yr, Criminology graduates from California State University-San Marcos land near the $36,749 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 17.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $14,810 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

California State University-San Marcos ranks #21 among 111 Criminology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $34,694-to-$54,589 earnings arc over five years reflects a 57% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-San Marcos

With 96% of applicants admitted, California State University-San Marcos prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 14,174 in San Marcos, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 44% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-San Marcos →

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

Compare this program → View all 111 schools offering Criminology →

Criminology at Other Schools

University of Wisconsin-Stout ($49,004) Assumption University ($48,600) University of Southern Maine ($47,726) Saint Anselm College ($46,814) Lakeland University ($45,276) University of Wisconsin-River Falls ($45,113) Barry University ($44,015) University of Northern Iowa ($43,914)

Other Majors at California State University-San Marcos

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($103,799) Accounting and Related Services ($63,366) Computer Systems Analysis ($61,054) Computer Science ($60,645) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($57,682) Physics ($56,018) International Business ($55,455) Management Information Systems and Services ($55,102)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Criminology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 51/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminology at California State University-San Marcos?
At 51/100, California State University-San Marcos's Criminology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Criminology at California State University-San Marcos?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State University-San Marcos one of the best schools for Criminology?
Among 111 Criminology programs, California State University-San Marcos's #21 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →