Program Analysis
Graduates earn $36,185/yr, roughly in line with the $36,749 national median for Criminology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
With a 13.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $21,500 against $36,185/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.
A #39 ranking among 111 Criminology programs places Missouri State University-Springfield in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
A 33% earnings increase from $36,185 to $48,173 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.