Sociologyat Hobart William Smith Colleges
Graduates earn $20,228/yr in their first year — about 41.0% below the national Sociology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $379K; scenarios range from $375K to $368K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Hobart William Smith Colleges
Your Sociology degree from Hobart William Smith provides a robust liberal arts foundation, emphasizing critical thinking, research, and communication — skills employers consistently seek. However, the initial career landscape for a generalist sociology degree often leads to roles in non-profit organizations, social services, education, or entry-level positions where these foundational skills are developed further, rather than immediately commanding high salaries. The regional labor market around Geneva, NY, a smaller community, also presents different early-career opportunities compared to major metropolitan hubs. Many graduates pursuing higher-earning paths in this field often leverage their undergraduate work to pursue advanced degrees in social work, law, public policy, or specialized research, which unlocks greater earning potential later. To maximize your return, consider how you'll specialize your skills through internships or a clear graduate school plan during your time at HWS.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Hobart William Smith Colleges's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Sociology
How Hobart William Smith Colleges stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Hobart William Smith Colleges
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Hobart William Smith Colleges, 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 →Frequently asked about Sociology at Hobart William Smith Colleges
What does a 26/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Sociology at Hobart William Smith Colleges?
At 26/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Sociology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Sociology degree from Hobart William Smith Colleges?
At $26,500 in median debt, graduates carry 16 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study Sociology at Hobart William Smith Colleges?
The 42% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Hobart William Smith Colleges a good choice for Sociology despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Hobart William Smith Colleges's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Sociology at Hobart William Smith Colleges?
The 51% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $253,072. At a net cost of $124,228, the earnings multiple improves substantially.