Criminology at Purdue University Global

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Associate Degree

serving a student body of 31,502 in West Lafayette, IN.

Program Analysis

Purdue University Global's Criminology graduates start at $36,766/yr — above the $32,876 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 19.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminology's career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $36,766 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

This program is one of 2 schools offering Criminology in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Criminology, including Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer (median $136,550/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
47
Score
50
High End
Earnings $36,766/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (50% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (122,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$385K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
19.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
5 of 5
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$20,220
Out-of-state: $28,842
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,000
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Criminology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Psychologists, all other $117,580 +4.3% 56%
Sociologists $101,690 +3.6% 46%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
Psychologists, all other
$117,580
+4.3% growth 56% AI-proof
Sociologists
$101,690
+3.6% growth 46% AI-proof

View all 5 career paths with full salary data →

Criminology Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Criminology careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering other programs.

Read the full Criminology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminology Overview

Criminology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Purdue University Global

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Purdue University Global's Criminology program score?
At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Criminology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Will AI affect Criminology careers?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Purdue University Global graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Can I learn Criminology through an apprenticeship instead of Purdue University Global?
The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Criminology. For students weighing Purdue University Global's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Criminology workers?
At 122,700 annual openings, Criminology has a very large employment base. Purdue University Global graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →