Criminology at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Whitewater, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
53
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,060/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (122,700 openings/yr)
ROI 15.7x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #15 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 $522K $518K $477K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.8x 15.7x 14.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.2x 6.7x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 30% 22%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 53 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,000
Out-of-state: $71,664 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,140
-79% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,283
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,285
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Criminology graduates start at $40,060/yr — above the $36,749 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.7x 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 $25,283 represents roughly 8 months of the $40,060 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #15 of 111 nationally, this is a top-5% Criminology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $40,060 to $54,285 over five years — a 36% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

A 83% acceptance rate means University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 9,180 students in Whitewater, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater →

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 Wisconsin-Whitewater

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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Criminology field.
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 $476,581 in decade earnings vs $521,542 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Criminology program stand out?
Ranked #15 of 111 programs nationally, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →