Sociology at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

North Adams, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,631/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 10.4x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #151 of 414 Sociology programs Top 50%

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 $494K $494K $464K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.4x 10.4x 9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 6.0x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,536
Out-of-state: $82,236 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,828
-57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,027
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,673
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $38,631 per year, Sociology graduates from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts earn slightly above the $34,392 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 10.4x 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 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,027 debt-to-$38,631 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #151 out of 414 programs, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's Sociology offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $38,631 to $47,673 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

With 92% of applicants admitted, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 748 students in North Adams, MA. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts →

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 Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's Sociology program score?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Sociology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →