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Social Sciences · Sociology Rank #411 of 414

Sociologyat Gordon College

Graduates earn $18,487/yr in their first year — about 46.0% below the national Sociology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $371K; scenarios range from $368K to $359K depending on AI disruption.

Wenham, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
21 AT RISK
22
Optimistic
20
Pessimistic
Earnings
$18,487
1-year post-graduation
ROI
0.6x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$371K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Gordon College

Your exploration of Gordon's Sociology program reveals a unique earnings profile, largely influenced by the college's liberal arts mission and the inherent versatility of the major. Graduates often gravitate towards roles in non-profit organizations, social work, education, or ministry, aligning with Gordon's values-driven approach. These paths, while deeply rewarding and impactful, typically offer more modest starting salaries compared to corporate or technical fields, especially in the competitive Greater Boston area.

While a sociology degree here cultivates critical thinking and research skills, many of these roles demand further specialized training or advanced degrees for significant salary growth. To maximize your financial outlook, consider proactively seeking internships in areas like data analysis, program evaluation, or market research, where your analytical skills can translate directly into higher-paying opportunities. Networking with alumni in diverse industries will be crucial.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$368K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score20/100
Earnings Multiple3.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$371K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score21/100
Earnings Multiple3.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$359K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score22/100
Earnings Multiple3.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Gordon College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Sociology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Sociologists
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$101,690/yr
High
3
Sociology teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$82,540/yr
Moderate
4
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
$75,040/yr
Low
5
Social science research assistants
+4.4% 10-yr growth · 5,200 openings/yr
$58,040/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Sociology

How Gordon College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$64K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
Top score
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
2.4x
ROI
Santa Clara University
CA · Private nonprofit
49
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
Colgate University
NY · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Trinity College
CT · Private nonprofit
41
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Also at Gordon College

Other top programs at Gordon College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Gordon College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Sociology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Sociology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Sociology at Gordon College

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at Gordon College?

A score of 21/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Sociology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Sociology at Gordon College worth the student debt?

Median debt of $27,000 against $18,487/yr starting salary means roughly 1.5 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.

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 $367,860 in decade earnings vs $358,517 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Sociology from Gordon 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.