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Social Sciences · Sociology Rank #388 of 414

Sociologyat New York University

Graduates earn $22,697/yr in their first year — about 34.0% below the national Sociology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $790K; scenarios range from $695K to $820K depending on AI disruption.

New York, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
26 AT RISK
27
Optimistic
25
Pessimistic
Earnings
$22,697
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$790K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at New York University

An NYU Sociology degree equips you with exceptional critical thinking, research, and analytical skills, highly valued across many sectors. However, as a broad liberal arts major, initial career paths often lead to roles in non-profit, education, public service, or entry-level corporate positions in areas like human resources or market research. These fields, particularly in a high-cost city like New York, may not offer immediate high salaries compared to more vocational degrees. The program's strength lies in its deep dive into social structures and urban dynamics, often drawing on NYC's unique environment, but the direct financial return typically accrues over time.

The observed AI risk suggests that some entry-level analytical or administrative tasks common in these fields might face automation. Your strong NYU network in a diverse job market is a powerful asset. To leverage it effectively, consider pairing your sociology studies with robust quantitative methods, data analysis, or a complementary minor that aligns with specific career interests, ensuring you build tangible skills alongside your critical understanding of society.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$695K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score25/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$790K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score26/100
Earnings Multiple3.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$820K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple3.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to New York University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Sociology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Sociologists
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$101,690/yr
High
3
Sociology teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$82,540/yr
Moderate
4
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
$75,040/yr
Low
5
Social science research assistants
+4.4% 10-yr growth · 5,200 openings/yr
$58,040/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Sociology

How New York University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$64K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
Top score
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
2.4x
ROI
Santa Clara University
CA · Private nonprofit
49
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
Same state (NY)
Colgate University
NY · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Trinity College
CT · Private nonprofit
41
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Also at New York University

Other top programs at New York University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at New York University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Sociology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Sociology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Sociology at New York University

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.