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Sociology at Middlebury College

Middlebury, VT · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
25
Optimistic
24
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,368/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #402 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 $663K $648K $584K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.5x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 24 23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$261,120
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$103,736
60% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,699
128% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $28,368 per year, Sociology graduates from Middlebury College earn below the $34,392 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

An earnings multiple of 2.5x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #402 out of 414 programs, Middlebury College's financial outcomes for Sociology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $28,368 to $64,699 over five years (128% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Middlebury College

With just 10% of applicants admitted, Middlebury College ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with a smaller student body of 2,785 in Middlebury, VT. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $103,736 — 60% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Middlebury College →

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

Compare this program → View all 414 schools offering Sociology →

Sociology at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($64,377) Columbia University in the City of New York ($58,541) Santa Clara University ($53,612) Colgate University ($51,788) Trinity College ($50,077) King's College ($48,529) Barnard College ($48,215) Boston College ($48,091)

Other Majors at Middlebury College

Economics ($85,879) Computer Science ($80,158) International Relations and National Security Studies ($68,344) Political Science and Government ($59,026) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($46,758) Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($44,585) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($44,142) Psychology, General ($43,839)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Sociology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Middlebury College's Sociology program score?
This program scores 24/100 — 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.
Why are Sociology earnings lower at Middlebury College?
Lower starting pay at Middlebury College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Sociology at Middlebury College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $261,120, but the average net cost is $103,736 — a 60% 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 →