Criminology at Virginia Union University

Richmond, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,291/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (122,700 openings/yr)
ROI 8.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #82 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 $510K $508K $469K
Earnings Multiple 8.6x 8.5x 7.9x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 30% 22%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$59,520
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,320
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$30,200
12.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,498
60% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Virginia Union University's Criminology graduates start at $30,291/yr, trailing the $36,749 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.5x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $30,200 represents roughly 12 months of the $30,291 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #82 of 111 Criminology programs, Virginia Union University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $48,498 show a 60% jump from the $30,291 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Virginia Union University

A 98% acceptance rate means Virginia Union University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 1,153 students in Richmond, VA. Pell Grant recipients make up 51% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Union 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 Virginia Union University

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 Virginia Union University?
A score of 36/100 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 $469,208 in decade earnings vs $510,266 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Criminology from Virginia Union University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →