Sociology at McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,539
12.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,679
48% growth from Year 1
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
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 →