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Social Sciences · Sociology Rank #113 of 414

Sociologyat Barnard College

Graduates earn $48,215/yr in their first year — about 40.0% above the national Sociology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $641K; scenarios range from $579K to $656K depending on AI disruption.

New York, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
44 AVERAGE
45
Optimistic
40
Pessimistic
Earnings
$48,215
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.8x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$641K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Barnard College

Your strong outcomes for a Sociology degree at Barnard aren't just about the major itself, but the powerful combination of your institution's elite reputation and its prime New York City location. Employers in consulting, market research, non-profits, and even finance highly value the sophisticated critical thinking, qualitative research, and deep understanding of social dynamics you develop. This rigorous liberal arts foundation, coupled with Barnard's extensive alumni network, connects you directly to influential organizations within one of the world's most dynamic job markets.

While some graduates pursue direct sociological roles, many leverage their analytical skills in diverse management-track positions, where understanding human behavior and complex systems is paramount. Even with the rising AI risk in some analytical fields, your uniquely human skills—interpretation, ethical reasoning, and qualitative insight—are precisely what AI cannot replicate. To maximize your career trajectory, actively seek out internships that bridge your sociological understanding with practical industry experience, especially those incorporating data analysis or strategic planning, to position yourself as a leader in a data-rich future.

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
$579K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$641K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$656K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score45/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Barnard College'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 Barnard College 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
Same state (NY)
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 Barnard College

Other top programs at Barnard College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Barnard College, 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 Barnard College

What does a 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Sociology at Barnard College?

At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Sociology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Sociology at Barnard College?

The 42% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.