Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $34,344 track close to the $34,392 national median for Sociology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
At 7.7x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $21,500 debt-to-$34,344 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #218 out of 414 programs, Rutgers University-New Brunswick's financial outcomes for Sociology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $34,344 to $52,960 over five years (54% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.