Sociologyat Ithaca College
Graduates earn $24,026/yr in their first year — about 30.0% below the national Sociology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $398K; scenarios range from $389K to $389K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Ithaca College
The earnings trends for Sociology graduates from Ithaca College reflect the unique dynamics of a strong liberal arts program in a specific regional labor market. Located in a vibrant college town rather than a major economic hub, many graduates may initially find opportunities in local non-profits, community organizations, or pursue further academic study, fields that often don't command the highest starting salaries.
Ithaca's program likely excels at developing critical thinking, research skills, and a deep understanding of social systems. While these are invaluable, translating them into high-paying roles typically requires intentional effort. Many sociology graduates pursue careers in areas like human resources, market research, public policy analysis, or social work, leveraging their analytical and interpersonal strengths. Your success hinges on proactively building practical skills through internships and networking, especially if your career aspirations lie outside the immediate Ithaca area or in more corporate sectors. Consider pairing your major with a minor or practical certifications to broaden your appeal.
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 Ithaca College'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 Ithaca College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Ithaca College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Ithaca College, 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 Ithaca College
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.