Sociology at Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,105/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 15.1x earnings multiple (8.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #167 of 414 Sociology programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Sociology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $466K $468K $444K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.0x 15.1x 14.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 8.5x 8.0x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,016
Out-of-state: $55,304 (8.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$52,340
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,995
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $34,105/yr, roughly in line with the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Sociology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Sociology's typical career paths, with 42% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $34,105 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #167 of 414 Sociology programs, Arkansas State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $34,105 to $41,995 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Arkansas State University

A 70% admission rate makes Arkansas State University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a mid-sized student body of 7,994 in Jonesboro, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at Arkansas State University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Sociologists $101,690/yr
Sociology teachers, postsecondary $82,540/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Sociology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Arkansas State University

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 Sociology at Arkansas State University?
A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Sociology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Sociology careers?
With 42% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $443,709 in decade earnings vs $465,545 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →