Sociology at National University

San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
51
Optimistic
51
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,505/yr (35% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 9.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #21 of 414 Sociology programs Top 5%

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 $526K $523K $486K
Earnings Multiple 9.9x 9.8x 9.1x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 51 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$53,280
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$124,232
-133% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,687
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,674
18% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

National University Sociology graduates command $46,505/yr out of the gate, well above the $34,392 national median. That 35% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.8x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,687 represents roughly 7 months of the $46,505 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #21 of 414 nationally, this is a top-5% Sociology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $54,674 are relatively flat compared to the $46,505 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About National University

with a mid-sized student body of 9,725 in San Diego, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at National 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 National University

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at National University?
A score of 51/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Sociology field.
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 $486,336 in decade earnings vs $525,694 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes National University's Sociology program stand out?
Ranked #21 of 414 programs nationally, National University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →