Sociology at New Mexico State University-Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,506
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,470
32% growth from Year 1
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
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 →