Criminology at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,443/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (122,700 openings/yr)
ROI 17.2x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #30 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 $504K $503K $465K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.2x 17.2x 15.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.5x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 30% 22%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 48 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,268
Out-of-state: $91,940 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$77,888
-166% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,855
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of North Carolina Wilmington's Criminology program produces graduates earning $34,443/yr — within striking distance of the $36,749 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.2x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $34,443 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #30 of 111 Criminology programs, University of North Carolina Wilmington scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $34,443 to $48,855 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of North Carolina Wilmington

A 74% acceptance rate means University of North Carolina Wilmington is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 14,176 students in Wilmington, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina Wilmington →

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 University of North Carolina Wilmington

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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 University of North Carolina Wilmington?
A score of 48/100 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 $465,283 in decade earnings vs $504,260 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →