Sociology at Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,783/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 22.7x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #49 of 414 Sociology programs Top 25%

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 $516K $514K $480K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.8x 22.7x 21.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.9x 6.8x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 48 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$22,624
Out-of-state: $75,144 (6.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$43,988
-94% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,783
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,700
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,783 track close to the $34,392 national median for Sociology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 22.7x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,783 represents roughly 7 months of the $33,783 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #49 of 414 nationally, this is a top-5% Sociology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $33,783 to $49,700 over five years — a 47% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Florida State University

Florida State University admits 25% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, serving a student body of 31,812 in Tallahassee, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at Florida 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 Florida 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 Florida State University?
A score of 48/100 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 $479,615 in decade earnings vs $516,208 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Florida State University's Sociology program stand out?
Ranked #49 of 414 programs nationally, Florida State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →