Sociology at Frostburg State University

Frostburg, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,165/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 14.7x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #82 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 $596K $587K $536K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.9x 14.7x 13.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.9x 5.8x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,992
Out-of-state: $100,720 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,292
-53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
9.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,641
85% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $32,165/yr, Sociology graduates from Frostburg State University land near the $34,392 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.7x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $32,165 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #82 of 414 nationally, this is a top-5% Sociology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $59,641 show a 85% jump from the $32,165 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Frostburg State University

With 89% of applicants admitted, Frostburg State University prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 2,849 students in Frostburg, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at Frostburg 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 Frostburg State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at Frostburg State University?
A score of 46/100 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 $536,393 in decade earnings vs $596,327 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Frostburg State University's Sociology program stand out?
Ranked #82 of 414 programs nationally, Frostburg 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 →