Criminology at Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
46
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,214/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (122,700 openings/yr)
ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #34 of 111 Criminology programs Top 50%

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 $523K $520K $478K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.3x 10.3x 9.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.5x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 30% 22%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 46 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,608
Out-of-state: $115,600 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,688
-18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,788
45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,214/yr, roughly in line with the $36,749 national median for Criminology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.3x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,500 represents roughly 6 months of the $37,214 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #34 of 111 Criminology programs, Northern Arizona University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $37,214 to $53,788 over five years — a 45% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 23,041 in Flagstaff, AZ.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Arizona 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 Northern Arizona University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminology at Northern Arizona University?
A score of 46/100 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 $477,859 in decade earnings vs $523,499 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →