Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $27,854/yr fall 19% below the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Sociology programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Sociology's typical career paths, with 42% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $29,592 against $27,854/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.
Ranked #316 of 414 Sociology programs, Idaho State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $27,854 to $38,928 over five years — a 40% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.