Sociology at Fort Lewis College

Durango, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
29 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
29
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,553/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #360 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 $454K $458K $436K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.8x 11.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.5x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 29 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,680
Out-of-state: $83,192 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,356
-79% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,682
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,414
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $27,553/yr fall 20% below the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.8x 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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,682 represents roughly 8 months of the $27,553 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #360 of 414 Sociology programs, Fort Lewis College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $27,553 to $38,414 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis College has a 93% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 3,070 students in Durango, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Fort Lewis 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 Fort Lewis College

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 Fort Lewis College?
A score of 29/100 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 $435,606 in decade earnings vs $454,113 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Sociology from Fort Lewis College?
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 →