Sociology at Randolph-Macon College

Ashland, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
32
Optimistic
32
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,656/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #326 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 $498K $498K $467K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.6x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 32 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$192,008
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$111,036
42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,739
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,640
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $39,656 at Randolph-Macon College come in 15% above the national median of $34,392 for Sociology programs.

The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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.

Median debt of $25,739 represents roughly 8 months of the $39,656 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #326 of 414 Sociology programs, Randolph-Macon College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $39,656 to $48,640 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Randolph-Macon College

Randolph-Macon College accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 1,489 in Ashland, VA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $111,036 — 42% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Randolph-Macon College →

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 Randolph-Macon College

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 Randolph-Macon College?
A score of 32/100 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 $466,915 in decade earnings vs $498,291 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →