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Sociology at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,193/yr (14% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #106 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	$522K	$520K	$484K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.4x	10.3x	9.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.7x	3.7x	3.5x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	45	42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$50,376

Out-of-state: $139,776 (3.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$70,888

-41% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,864

5.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$52,350

34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's Sociology graduates start at $39,193/yr — above the $34,392 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Sociology programs nationally.

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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,864 in median debt clears quickly against $39,193 in annual earnings.

At #106 of 414 Sociology programs, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $39,193 to $52,350 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's 68% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a smaller student body of 1,054 in Bend, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus →

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 Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

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 Oregon State University-Cascades Campus?

A score of 45/100 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 $483,933 in decade earnings vs $522,301 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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