Sociology at Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,870
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,230
26% growth from Year 1
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
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 →