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Sociology at New York University

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $22,697/yr (-34% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)

ROI 3.3x earnings multiple

Ranked #388 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	$820K	$790K	$695K
Earnings Multiple	3.4x	3.3x	2.9x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	27	26	25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$241,752

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$140,140

42% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,875

10.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$73,086

222% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $22,697/yr fall 34% below the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

An earnings multiple of 3.3x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,875 represents roughly 10 months of the $22,697 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #388 of 414 Sociology programs, New York University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $73,086 show a 222% jump from the $22,697 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About New York University

New York University admits 9% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, with 29,430 students enrolled in New York, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $140,140 over four years — 42% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at New York 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 New York University

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at New York University?

A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Sociology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

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 $694,706 in decade earnings vs $819,714 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Sociology from New York University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →