Sociology at New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Las Cruces, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,376/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 14.4x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #257 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 $467K $469K $444K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.3x 14.4x 13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.6x 4.6x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,588
Out-of-state: $101,084 (4.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$26,988
17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,506
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,470
32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

New Mexico State University-Main Campus's Sociology program produces graduates earning $31,376/yr — within striking distance of the $34,392 national average for this field.

The 14.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,506 debt-to-$31,376 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #257 out of 414 programs, New Mexico State University-Main Campus's financial outcomes for Sociology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $31,376 to $41,470 shows 32% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About New Mexico State University-Main Campus

A 76% acceptance rate means New Mexico State University-Main Campus is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 11,561 in Las Cruces, NM. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at New Mexico State University-Main Campus →

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 New Mexico State University-Main Campus

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 New Mexico State University-Main Campus's Sociology program score?
This program scores 36/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →