Sociology at East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
26
Optimistic
25
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings
$24,468/yr (-29% vs median)
AI Risk
High (42% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI
10.9x earnings multiple (7.9x out-of-state)
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 | $428K | $434K | $417K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 10.8x | 10.9x | 10.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.8x | 7.9x | 7.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 44% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 26 | 25 | 24 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,800
Out-of-state: $55,160 (7.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,495
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,474
37% growth from Year 1
About East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 9,807 students in Johnson City, TN.
See all programs and financial aid at East Tennessee State University →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Sociologists
$101,690/yr
Sociology teachers, postsecondary
$82,540/yr
Compare & Explore
Sociology at Other Schools
Other Majors at East Tennessee State University
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at East Tennessee State University?
A score of 25/100 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 $417,000 in decade earnings vs $427,855 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Sociology from East Tennessee State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →