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Social Sciences · Sociology Rank #136 of 414

Sociologyat Duke University

Graduates earn $45,551/yr in their first year — about 32.0% above the national Sociology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $648K; scenarios range from $584K to $664K depending on AI disruption.

Durham, NC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
43 AVERAGE
44
Optimistic
39
Pessimistic
Earnings
$45,551
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.9x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$648K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Duke University

A Duke Sociology degree opens doors far beyond traditional academic or research roles, largely due to the rigorous analytical and critical thinking skills you'll develop, combined with the university's formidable brand and alumni network. Your post-graduation success often stems from applying these versatile abilities in fields like consulting, market research, policy analysis, and human resources, where understanding complex social dynamics is highly valued. Many graduates find themselves in management or strategic roles within tech, non-profits, or government, leveraging Duke's strong recruiting pipelines. While some data-intensive tasks within these roles might face AI augmentation, your uniquely human capacity for nuanced qualitative research, ethical reasoning, and interpersonal communication remains essential. Actively cultivate quantitative skills and engage with Duke's extensive career services to explore these diverse pathways.

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
$584K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$648K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$664K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Duke University'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 Duke University 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 Duke University

Other top programs at Duke University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Duke University, 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 Duke University

What does a 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Sociology at Duke University?

At 43/100, 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 Duke University?

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.