Sociologyat Iowa State University
Graduates earn $40,602/yr in their first year — about 18.0% above the national Sociology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $549K; scenarios range from $507K to $555K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Iowa State University
At $40,602 per year, Sociology graduates from Iowa State University earn slightly above the $34,392 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
The 13.1x 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 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The median debt load of $19,876 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #17 out of 414 programs, Iowa State University's Sociology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $40,602 to $57,753 shows 42% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
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 Iowa State University'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 Iowa State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Iowa State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Iowa State University, 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 Iowa State University
How does Iowa State University's Sociology program score?
This program scores 52/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Sociology graduates.
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 does Iowa State University rank so high for Sociology?
The #17 ranking out of 414 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.