Sociology at Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,686/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 9.9x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #202 of 414 Sociology programs Top 50%

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 $488K $488K $459K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.8x 9.9x 9.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.4x 5.4x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$49,532
Out-of-state: $90,904 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,200
-9% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,870
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,230
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $36,686 per year, Sociology graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn slightly above the $34,392 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.9x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $16,870 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #202 of 414 Sociology programs, Northeastern Illinois University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $36,686 to $46,230 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Northeastern Illinois University

With 70% of applicants admitted, Northeastern Illinois University prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 3,869 in Chicago, IL. Pell Grant recipients make up 54% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at Northeastern Illinois University?
A score of 39/100 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 $459,494 in decade earnings vs $487,817 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →