Sociology at McDaniel College
Westminster, MD · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
32
Optimistic
32
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings
$37,728/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk
High (42% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI
2.7x earnings multiple
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 | $542K | $538K | $498K |
| Earnings Multiple | 2.7x | 2.7x | 2.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 44% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 32 | 32 | 29 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$198,588
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
8.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,923
46% growth from Year 1
About McDaniel College
McDaniel College has a 84% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 1,652 students in Westminster, MD. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $83,692 — 58% less than the list price.
See all programs and financial aid at McDaniel College →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Sociologists
$101,690/yr
Sociology teachers, postsecondary
$82,540/yr
Compare & Explore
Sociology at Other Schools
Other Majors at McDaniel College
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does McDaniel College's Sociology program score?
This program scores 32/100 — 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.
How affordable is Sociology at McDaniel College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $198,588, but the average net cost is $83,692 — a 58% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →