Criminology at Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,349/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (122,700 openings/yr)
ROI 9.0x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #59 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 $496K $496K $460K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.0x 9.0x 8.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.1x 5.1x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 30% 22%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,984
Out-of-state: $96,456 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,652
-49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,792
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,392
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $39,349 per year, Criminology graduates from Ohio University-Main Campus earn slightly above the $36,749 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.0x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $15,792 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #59 of 111 Criminology programs, Ohio University-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $39,349 to $48,392 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Ohio University-Main Campus

With 85% of applicants admitted, Ohio University-Main Campus prioritizes broad access, serving 18,456 students in Athens, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Ohio University-Main Campus →

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 Ohio University-Main Campus

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 Ohio University-Main Campus?
A score of 42/100 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 $459,831 in decade earnings vs $495,919 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →