Sociology at George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,916/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk
High (42% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI
10.1x earnings multiple (3.5x 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 | $563K | $557K | $513K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 10.2x | 10.1x | 9.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.6x | 3.5x | 3.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 44% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 48 | 47 | 44 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$55,260
Out-of-state: $157,588 (3.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,676
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,321
50% growth from Year 1
About George Mason University
George Mason University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 27,083 students enrolled in Fairfax, VA.
See all programs and financial aid at George Mason 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 George Mason 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 George Mason University?
A score of 47/100 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 $512,753 in decade earnings vs $562,971 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes George Mason University's Sociology program stand out?
Ranked #71 of 414 programs nationally, George Mason 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 →