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Sociology at Georgia State University

Atlanta, GA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,968/yr (-16% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)

ROI 14.4x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #264 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	$488K	$489K	$460K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.4x	14.4x	13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.2x	5.2x	4.8x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	36	35	34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,912

Out-of-state: $94,836 (5.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$63,724

-88% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,500

10.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$43,927

52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,968/yr fall 16% below the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 14.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,500 debt-to-$28,968 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #264 out of 414 programs, Georgia State University's financial outcomes for Sociology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $28,968 to $43,927 over five years (52% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Georgia State University

With a 62% acceptance rate, Georgia State University is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 27,109 students in Atlanta, GA. With 50% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Georgia 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 Georgia State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Georgia State University's Sociology program score?

This program scores 35/100 — on the lower end for Sociology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Sociology to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Sociology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 42% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Sociology earnings lower at Georgia State University?

Lower starting pay at Georgia State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →