Sociology at Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,132/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk
High (42% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI
8.6x earnings multiple (6.1x 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 | $506K | $505K | $473K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 8.7x | 8.6x | 8.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.1x | 6.1x | 5.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 44% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 35 | 34 | 33 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,512
Out-of-state: $83,280 (6.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
8.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,684
48% growth from Year 1
About Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University accepts 95% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 19,073 in Allendale, MI.
See all programs and financial aid at Grand Valley State 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 Grand Valley 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 Grand Valley State University?
A score of 34/100 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 $472,665 in decade earnings vs $506,402 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →