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Sociology at Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $24,026/yr (-30% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)

ROI 2.0x earnings multiple

Ranked #409 of 414 Sociology programs

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	$389K	$398K	$389K
Earnings Multiple	1.9x	2.0x	1.9x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	23	22	21

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$202,040

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$131,860

35% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,000

12.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (4 Year)

$44,543

85% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $24,026/yr fall 30% below the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The financial case is thin at 2.0x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 -0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 against $24,026/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.0 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #409 of 414 Sociology programs, Ithaca College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Ithaca College

With a 70% acceptance rate, Ithaca College is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 4,350 in Ithaca, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $131,860 over four years — 35% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Ithaca College →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Sociologists $101,690/yr

Sociology teachers, postsecondary $82,540/yr

View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Sociology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ithaca College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at Ithaca College?

A score of 22/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Sociology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Sociology at Ithaca College worth the student debt?

Median debt of $25,000 against $24,026/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 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 $389,371 in decade earnings vs $388,870 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Sociology from Ithaca 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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →