Sociology at McNeese State University

Lake Charles, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,183/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (12.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #233 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 $491K $491K $461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.5x 14.5x 13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.3x 12.3x 11.6x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,840
Out-of-state: $39,840 (12.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$45,028
-33% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,539
12.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,679
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,183/yr, roughly in line with the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Sociology programs nationally.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $31,539 against $30,183/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 #233 of 414 Sociology programs, McNeese State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $30,183 to $44,679 over five years — a 48% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About McNeese State University

A 68% admission rate makes McNeese State University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 4,846 students in Lake Charles, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at McNeese State University →

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 McNeese State University

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 McNeese State University?
A score of 37/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Sociology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Sociology at McNeese State University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $31,539 against $30,183/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 $461,400 in decade earnings vs $490,509 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →