Sociology at Columbia College

Columbia, MO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,758/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 5.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #272 of 414 Sociology programs

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 $482K $483K $455K
Earnings Multiple 5.0x 5.0x 4.7x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 35 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$97,304
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$96,204
1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,002
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,544
21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Columbia College's Sociology graduates start at $37,758/yr — above the $34,392 national average, though not by a wide margin.

An earnings multiple of 5.0x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,002 represents roughly 7 months of the $37,758 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #272 of 414 Sociology programs, Columbia College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $37,758 to $45,544 over five years — a 21% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Columbia College

serving 5,359 students in Columbia, MO. 44% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbia College →

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 Columbia College

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 Columbia College?
A score of 35/100 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 $455,441 in decade earnings vs $482,095 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →