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Social Sciences · Sociology Rank #2 of 414

Sociologyat American Public University System

Graduates earn $47,633/yr in their first year — about 39.0% above the national Sociology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $524K; scenarios range from $487K to $527K depending on AI disruption.

Charles Town, WV Private for-profit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
57 SOLID
58
Optimistic
53
Pessimistic
Earnings
$47,633
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$524K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at American Public University System

The strong financial outcomes for this program likely stem from its unique student body, which often includes working professionals, military personnel, and veterans leveraging their degrees for career advancement rather than entry-level roles. You'll find graduates applying their critical thinking, research, and human behavior analysis skills across diverse sectors—from project management and human resources in corporations to government analysis and non-profit leadership. This online, flexible format empowers you to gain valuable credentials while maintaining your professional life, often translating into quicker career progression and higher earning potential. While the field faces high AI risk, focusing on developing your unique analytical and interpersonal skills is paramount. To maximize your outcome, actively seek out internships or projects that apply sociological methods to real-world organizational challenges, enhancing your practical value.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$487K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score53/100
Earnings Multiple14.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$524K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple15.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$527K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple15.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to American Public University System's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Sociology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Sociologists
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$101,690/yr
High
3
Sociology teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$82,540/yr
Moderate
4
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
$75,040/yr
Low
5
Social science research assistants
+4.4% 10-yr growth · 5,200 openings/yr
$58,040/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Sociology

How American Public University System stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$64K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
Top score
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
2.4x
ROI
Santa Clara University
CA · Private nonprofit
49
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
Colgate University
NY · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Trinity College
CT · Private nonprofit
41
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Also at American Public University System

Other top programs at American Public University System

Other highest-scoring programs offered at American Public University System, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Sociology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Sociology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Sociology at American Public University System

How does American Public University System's Sociology program score?

This program scores 57/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Sociology graduates.

How vulnerable is Sociology to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Sociology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 42% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does American Public University System rank so high for Sociology?

The #2 ranking out of 414 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.